Library of Congress* 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



Shelf- A_^ fe' 



I 



^ 



ASPHODELS. 



POEMS. 



BY 

SARAH GOULD. 



" I love not less 
Earth's loveliest bloom — wood-haunting lily-bella, 

Daisy or violet — for all loveliness 
Of these I bring, — my fading Asphodels, 

Plucked on the hills of Immortality! 
Bat, dear memorials of faint-pulsed dreams, 
Fields never sere, and amber-paven streams, 

And angels leaning from their opal sky 
With your still dewy sweets, — 

I clasp you, though ye die !" 



NEW YORK: 
RUDD & CARLETON, 130 GRAND ST. 

(BBOOKS BtriLDINO COBNEE OF BEOADWAY.) 
M DCCC LX. 



7& ns^ 

* 
8 '00 

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859 by 

SAEAH GOULD, 

In the Clerk's OflBce of the District Court of the United 
States, for the Southern District of Hew York. 



S. OBAIOHBAS, 

Printer, Stereotyper, and Electrotyper. 

Carton Suinimg, 

81, 83, and 85 Centre Street. 



CONTENTS. 



• Restoration, . 

. Prophetic G-limpses 
.The Twin Angels, 
> The Serpent Horror, 
' The Consecration, 
' Heart-Rich, . 
April, 
Sunset, . 
' The Violet, . 

* An Ecstasy, . 
Moss-Mi.sic, . 
To . 

» Tempest-Tossed, 
Our Yalley Lily, 
Canzonetta, . 

^ The Love Circle, 

■» Recognition. . 



PAOK 
9 

11 

13 
15 

20 
23 
25 
26 
27 
2t 
29 
30 
32 
35 
36 
St 
41 



VI 



CONTENTS. 



Light in Darkness, . 
The Lifted Yell, . 

To , . . 

Queen Helen, , , 
Cross and Crown, . 
The Rivulet, . 
Irene, 

Heavenly Peaoe, . 
The Flower Basket, 
The Dark River, . 
The Bright River, . 
The Bouquet of Pinks, 
Latent Joy, . 
Renunciation, 
' The Difference, 
Clare and Lillie, 
Song of the Children, 
Ruth, . 

To , . . 

Faded Flowers, 
A Life Symbol, 
The Rosarie, . . ' 
Hope and Faith, 
The Promise, . . 
Ave Maria^ . , 



PAOB 

42 
45 
48 
50 
51 
53 
56 
58 
59 
60 
64 
69 
69 
12 
76 
T6 
80 
84 
85 
89 
90 
93 
94 
96 
97 





CONTENTS. 






vn 


VAGB 


"What the Angels Say, , 








99 


•Human Love, . 










. 100 


* Flower Fays, . 










101 


' The Oak, 










106 


The Eagle Heart, . 










. 107 


. There Remaineth a Rest, 










. 109 


^ Ministrations, . 










110 


^ Reverie, . 










113 


' Love's Immortality, 










. 114 


' The Joy of Action^ 










. 118 


- Life's Mystery, 










. 121 


, Little Moss Rose, 












. 123 


' Thy Mother, . 












. 124 


J Pauline, . 












. 126 


Yet Once Again, 












. 126 


Hero- Soul, 












. 130 


' The Healing Gift, 












. 130 


Prophet Bard, 












. 132 


Foreshadowings, 












. 133 


' Rival Claims, 












. 136 


My Wife, 












. 138 


, Freed, . 












, 140 


• An Admonition, . 












141 


• Invocation, 












143 


-. Phantasy, 












145 



VIU CONTENTS. 








PAGK 


I Stood Beside Thee, .... 




141 


* The Dead Baby, . 






148 


Gruardian Angel, . 






151 


* A Spirit Mother's Prajer, 






. 152 


Eva^ 






. 154 


' The New Revelation, 






. 156 


•Nell, . . . . 






151 


" A Yision, .... 






159 


My Baby, .... 






. 160 


Hidden Perfume, . 






. 161 


• Yirgin Island, 






. 163 


Victory, 






. 164 


Song of the Walking Beam, . 






. 165 


The Angel of my Dream, 






. 166 


Thou Didst Forget, 






. 169 


Genius of the Enchanted Spring, 






. 170 


Consolation, .... 






. 112 


To , .... 






. 173 


The Garland, .... 






. 1-75 


• The Jewelled Heavens, . 






. It6 


Elysian Echoes, 






. 118 


The Old Year, 






. 179 



ASPHODELS. 



RESTORATION. 



We grope through the dark, 
And shrink in dismay, 

From the phantom-eyes stark, 
That glare on our way ; 

And we tremble, with fear. 
At our own spirit's tread, 

Clinging fast to some dear 
Hope, withered and dead; 

Which, nathless, would hold us 

In fealty still, 
Ever seeking to fold us 

Firm bound to its wiU ; 

Then we catch the low tone 
Of a Voice that is clear ; 

And the distant Unknown 
Is a luminous Here, 



10 RESTORATION. 

Whicli kindles our feelings, 
And quickens our sight, 

With glorious revealings 
Of beauty, and light, 

And in that awaking, 
We feel the rebound 

From our soul-leap in taking 
A measure profound 

Of the chaos, inclosing 
Our innermost sense. 

As Islands reposing 
'Mid ocean's Immense. 

And, born into duty, 
We walk the new road. 

Through labor to Beauty, 
Through Beauty to Grod ; 

The phantoms of terror 
Fall stricken, and stark, 

And Truth pierces Error, 
Light pierces the Dark. 



PROPHETIC GLIMPSES. 11 



PROPHETIC GLIMPSES. 

A LIGHT upon my spirit gleams, 
A light I rather feel than see ; 

It comes as come exalted dreams 
In hours of holiest ecstasy. 

And deep within my inmost soul, 
While all my waiting senses kneel, 

High glories to my view unroll, 
That language fails me to reveal 

A meaning strange and sweet I see 
In every thing, above, around, 

Or in the haze of mystery, 

Or beings simple, or profound ; 

The music of the gurghng riU, 
By careless souls not understood j 

The incense-cups the flowers fill 
With stories of the quiet wood ; 

In twilight's mellow distances. 
The momentary hush of noon, 

In midnight's mute solemnities, 
And morn's exhilarating tune; 



12 PROPHETIC GLIMPSES. 

The pattering feet of dancing rain, 

Mysterious voices of the wind, 
In the deep ocean's solemn strain, 

And deeper ocean of the mind. 

As here thy spirit hand I hold, 
Thy fleshly robes are drawn away, 

I see thy inner form unfold, 

From all the windings of its clay. 

I see it scarred with wrong, and strife ; 

Mahce hath grazed it with her wand. 
And the fell foes of truest life, 

In frowning aspect, round it stand. 

Oh, heed them not, the senseless horde, 
Who track thee on thy lofty way, 

Whose blackening thought, and act, and word, 
Would stain the very heart of day. 

Oh, Usten to the sound I hear ! 

It comes, loud swelling, once again. 
And breaks upon my ravished ear, 

A conquering, a victorious strain ! 

Mark the high triumph of the song, 
Now borne so sweetly on the gale ; 

Ah. never more can False, and Wrong, 
Over the True, and Right, prevail. 



THE TWIN ANGELS. 13 

Then calmly front the cloud, and storm, 
And work thy work with patient will, 

Faith, Hope, and Love, thy heart shall warm, 
And their own prophecies fulfill. 



THE TWIN ANGELS. 

Oh, a little blue-eyed angel 
Bending from the calm serene, 

Seems she like a sweet Evangel, 
With her gentle look and mien. 

Flaxen are her flowing tresses, 
Silvery in the sheeny light. 

Not an angel looks, but blesses 

This young seraph, heavenly bright. 

There's another bud of sweetness 
Hanging just above us now, 

Oh, how rich in their completeness 
Are her radiant cheek and brow 1 

Ringlets ebon black, and glossy, 
Fall her slender waist below, 

As a gauzy mantle flossy, 
Waving ever to and fro. 



14 THE TWIN ANGELS. 

And her eyes flash vibratory 

Blackness, like a midnight storm, 

Yet pervaded by a glory 
That irradiates her form. 

Arms of form they are entwining 
Laughing as if full of glee ; 

And I inly muse, divining 

Who this younger one may be. 

Lo, she bends to me with kisses 
From those lips of ruddy hue ; 

They're our darling httle Lizzie's, 
Sweet as morning with its dew. 

Oh, the rapture of their singing! 

I can almost catch the rhyme, 
All the while their white arms flinging 

Here and there, in keeping time. 

"Weaving, now, the gayest dances 
With the countless cherubs there; 

In their whirls it often chances 
Lizzie's ringlets frolic where 

Lydia's silken locks are flowing, — 
As a cloudlet, pearly white, 

Where the twilight shades are growing 
Still retains the sun's soft hght. 



THE SERPENT HORROR. 15 

Thus, in all their infant features, 

Married diflferences shine, 
But so perfect are their natures, 

So entirely intertwine. 

In a graceful harmonizing. 

That their blended spirits seem 

As two stars, that, in their rising, 
Twinkle with the self-same gleam. 



THE SERPENT HORROR. 

Because we have wandered in error, 

The serpent is armed with a sting ; 
And wisdom is clad in the symbols of terror, 

Our souls to their centre to bring. b. d. h. 



I WITH pain had wrestled fiercely, 
Yoid of slumber, through the night, 

When there came a dream to pierce me 
Through and through, with wild affright. 

I was walking in a forest, 

In the damp, autumnal year, 
"Where the frost, with touch the sorest, 

Crisped the leaves up brown and sere ; 



16 THE SERPENT HORROR. 

When, upon a little hillock 

Blooming 'mid the dearth around, 
Underneath a high and still rock, 

I a Httle violet found. 
And it nodded, 0, so quaintly ! 

As I bent above its bloom, 
Though it seemed to cUng more faintly 

To the strength of its perfume. 

And I whispered, " Wherefore hiding 

Thus away from mortal view ? " 
Oh its glance was so confiding 

From its modest eye of blue, 
As its golden-crested finger 

It extended up to me, 
Saying slowly, "I would linger 

Still a little in the lea ; 
While the frost is whitely roving 

Till the rosy hght of morn, 
I would nestle soft and loving 

Till another bud was born. 

There are blooms more proud and stately 
Which in haughty grandeur grow, 

On the hill-side towering greatly, 
'Mid the sunset's crimson glow ; 



THE SERPENT HORROR. 17 

* There are vines that drape your arbors 
"With a gold and purple hue, 
While this quiet nook stiU harbors 
The pale violet's tender blue. 

In this loved and lovely dwelling, 

This so deeply sheltered nook. 
My sweet voice would still be telling 

Of the hymnings in the brook 
Round about us, morn and even, 

From kind nature's ministries, 
Ever giving and receiving 

Fraternizing sympathies." 

I was listening to the flower 

To its soft voice sweet and low,. 
When with fascinating power 

A bright serpent glided slow,. 
From a crevice, and around me 

Flickered with a graceful sweeps 
And I stirred not, for it bound me 

In the subtle cords of sleep. 

It approached me nearer, nearer, 

With its glossy, glittering coils, 

And I saw it clearer, clearer, 

Powerless to escape its toils I 
2* 



18 THE SERPENT HORROR. 

For I could not, from my sleeping, 
Summon strength enough to starl^ 

"When as lightning swiftly leaping, 
It fell writhing on my heart. 

And I felt it twining, twining, 

With its circlets icy cold, 
And I saw the shining, shining 

Of each tight'ning, clinging fold ; 
Till with nerve and fibre shrinking 

From the rigor of its grasp, 
In its fierce embraces sinking, 

Faint and fainter grew each grasp. 

Seemed the firmament as falling 

In dense blackness to the ground, 
And a shadow, most appalling. 

Settled upon all around ! 
Still more tightly did he fold me I 

Tightly and more tightly still I 
And I had not strength to hold me 

In resistance to his will; 
Then with terror inly quivering, 

Of its poisonous breath I drank, 
And it sent a fatal shivering 

Through me, as in death I sank. 



THE SERPENT HORROR. ' 19 

Was it death ? nay, 't was not dying, 
But a sinking, soaring, flying. 
And the furies seemed to goad me, 
Memories of the past, to load me 
With the dark and scentless flowers 
Which had sprung in noxious bowers, 
Where, through all the lingering hours, 
Drizzled dank and poisonous showers ; 
In each blossom, folded close, 
Was a serpent's dark repose. 
And instead of perfumed kisses 
You but caught a serpent's hisses I 

Even the trees, around me there, 
Tall and scaly serpents were. 
Every branch a snaky form. 
Writhing, hissing in the storm ! 
Earth, on which I feared to tread, 
Seemed a monster, dark and dread. 
Brooks and rivers, and the ocean. 
Took a twining, slimy motion ; 
Ay, the clouds above them all. 
Changed to serpents, great and small. 
"Oh, ye heavens!" I shuddering moan, 
" I too am a serpent grown. 
Hissing, twining, coiling, rattling, 
With the hideous serpents battling 



20 THE CONSECRATION. 

I sink beneath their loathsome breath. 
Father, Father, give me death !" 

To die, to die ! it may not be ; 
There is no peace but victory ; 
Then patiently abide the strife, 
There is no death but only Life 1 



THE CONSECRATION. 

A HAND was laid upon my brow, 

A chiUing shudder trembled through ; 

And, down my inmost soul, 
A voiceful silence seemed to creep ; 
My trance became more fixed and deep, 

Beneath its strong control. 

"Behold!" it said; I looked, and lo 
Whole armies, marching to and fro, 

Before my startled eyes ; 
I heard the terrifying crash, 
The cannon's roar, the stunning clash, 

That rent the shuddering skies I 

I saw the desolating crush, 

The hopeless, the despairing rush 



THE CONSECRATION. 21 

Of souls, by terror racked ; 
The want, and woe, and cankering care, 
Ruin and death, that every where. 

By tears, and blood, were tracked ! 

This horror passed ; and lo, I stood 
Within a dark and gloomy wood. 

"Behold!'' my Leader saith. 
I looked, but sickened, turned away ; 
For there a murdered traveller lay. 

Wrestling alone with death ! 

Onward we journeyed, coming where 
Loud shouts, and laughter, filled the air, 

And thoughtless thousands flocked ; 
A gallows lifted to the sky, 
God's image in humanity, 

That winds, irreverent, rocked I 

Oh, murder's self had not the power,— 
Nor all the evil battles shower 

Along their blood-stained sod, — 
To match this agonizing sight, 
Done in the name of Law and Right, 

Done in the name of G-od ! 

Still on we went, and reached, at length, 
A city, glorious in strength. 



22 THE CONSECRATION. 

The pride of all the earth ; 
But even a fiend would blush to name 
The wrong and woe, the crime and shame, 

That in its heart had birth ! 

There man, his brother man betrayed, 
Hatred, distrust, and envy, made 

Within its walls, their nest ; 
Lust, avarice, pride, and dark deceit, 
Seemed with each other to compete, 

In every human breast. 

Religion ! over me there falls 
A dark'ning shadow, like a pall's, 

As of her shame I speak ! 
From all her churches rang no Law, 
The weak to cheer, the bad to awe, 

She was so shorn and weak ! 

Thither the purse-proud worshipper, 
And his sleek priest, with silken stir. 

Came, every Sabbath day. 
Together, in each stately hall. 
On God, in hollow words, to call. 

And publicly to pray. 

No entrance for the humble poor I 
None but the rich find open doorj 



HEART-RIOH. 23 

Jesus himself might wait ! 
Wan memory shudders to reveal 
The records which their hearts conceal, 

Of Pomp's delusive state. 

Sadly I turned to look on one 
Whose face was radiant as a sun ; 

"And is there then, no cure? 
Nothing but wickedness ?" I cried, 
" Whereby the Good is crucified ; 

And must it thus endure ?" 

" Yes ! till, with tongues of living flame, 
God's ministers this truth proclaim, — 

'Love is the life of good, 
The only medicine we can give 
Is, teaching men the art to live 

In human brotherhood.' " 



HEART-RICH. 



Thy love, how rich in its excess, 
How fervent, and how manifold; 

Thy overflowing tenderness, 
And sympathetic wealth untold ! 



24 HEART-RICH. 

\ 

Blest spirits from the higher sphere 
Bend lovingly, thy pathway o'er ; 

Angels of beauty hnger near, 

Their blessings on thy head to pour. 

Think what a privilege it is, 

A life so roseate as thine, 
A treasury of sweetest bliss, 

The largess of a love divine. 

I count thy treasures, so replete 

With all that could delight, or bless, 

And, lady ! I can but repeat, 
Thy life should be a blessedness I 

In all thy lineaments I trace 
A gentle nature, undefiled 

By the rude storms, that oft efface 
The attributes of Love's own child. 

Then, in thy very sweetness strong, 
Securely may thy soul rejoice. 

And living gladness swell the song 
To which thy soirit finds a voice. 



APEn.. 25 

APRIL. 
My thoughts are wandering in the woods to- 



Over green carpets of the velvet moss, 
While overhead wierd branches intercross 

The purple heavens, whose fleecy mist- wreaths 
play 

With answering mist-wreaths, shadowed on the 
ground, 
Creeping, as wavelets o'er a slumbering sea, 
Or white drifts sliding from stern winter's 
knee 

By the sun's glory Chrism'd ! I have found 
The Arbutus, pink with promises of spring; 
The Wind flower and the Violet, still cling 
To the sweet shelter of their winter home. 
Nestled 'mid tangled roots and fragrant loam ; 

For Notus tempts not with alluring breath 

The timid buds that Eurus dooms to death. 



26 SUNSET. 



SUNSET. 



Day is fading, a strange sadness 
Darkens down within my breast; 

Like the shadow of some gladness 
Slowly sinking to its rest. 

Ay, the sun is setting, setting ; 

And there gleams no evening star, — 
Will a night of dark forgetting 

All these mingled memories mar ? 

No, not e'en in blissful sleeping 
Shall they sink to brief repose ; 

Till the angels in their keeping 
Fold the precious treasures close. 

And the promise of to-morrow. 
Sweet assurance, bright as brief, 

Gilds the darkness of my sorrow, 
Lifts the curtain of my grief. 

Promise oft so lightly spoken. 
It but a dim mockery seems, 

Still, it's bread that's blessed and broken 
By the Angels of our dreams. 



AN ECSTASY. 27 



THE VIOLET. 

A VIOLET, buried in deep woods, am I, 
Quietly nestled in my solitude, 
Loving the voices of the true and good j 

With petals open to the kindly sky, 

I drink the glimpsing light, the twinkling dew, 
Shed from the Father's ever-bounteous hand, 
Who looks upon me with a smile, so bland 

It fills my vailed heart with odors new. 

Not for the world's applauses would I grow 
In any spot less hallowed by His love. 

Though gaudier grandeur round my home might 
glow, 
And flowers, more beauteous, proudly nod 
above ; 

Ko I the green darkness of my dell is dear 

For the G-reat Love that clings so warmly round 
me here. 



AN ECSTASY. 



Oh ! strike the mute lyre I 
Awake its full fire 
Once again ; 



28 AN ECSTAST. 

Pour forth all around, 
That musical sound, 
That sweet strain. 

With the last tone's receding, 
Bright angels were speeding, 

Pull of love, 
With their pinions spread, fair, 
On the jubilant air, 

J'ar above. 

I can count them ! ah, no I 
For so swiftly they go 

Trooping by, 
Their pearly wings beaming 
As fitfully gleaming 

They fly. 

Breathe softly that strain ! 
They are coming again. 

See ye not ? 
Softer yet! they will hear; 
They are near, very near 

To this spot. 

Ah ! no more I behold, 

For I shiver with cold, 

And ice-chill 



MOSS-MUSIC. 29 



Are the drops on my brow, 
And my blood, in its flow, 
Becomes still I 



MOSS-MUSIO. 



Now radiant joy sits smiling in my breast, — 
These fragrant pinks and pansies fair, fresh 

culled. 
Wood Violets and Mosses, lately lulled 

In shady nooks, by rippling brooks, to rest ; 

With the rich grandeur of each mossy crest 
So green and moist, the blossoms seem to vie 
With their bright hues, as lovingly they lie, 

Dizzy from their own perfumes, unconfest, 

G-reen mosses from the brookside, mosses sweet I 
Say, have ye heard the singing of the Wren, 
The Thrush, or Blackbird, by your brooks? 

oh, then: 
I pray you, if you can, some strain repeat : 

Bend closer still, bright mosses ; now I hear, 

A bird like music, sylvan-sweet and dear. 



30 TO 



TO 



Thou heart of hearts! pure, gentle, and benign, 
Strengthen, improve, inspire, this heart of mine, 
As the dull earth the sunbeams penetrate, 
These brilliant rays my spirit permeate ; 
And clear, along its vailed way, I trace 
The high unfoldings of the Infinite G-race, 
In thy unfettered, and far-reaching mind, 
Prophet, and Priest, and Lover of thy kind! 

0, I could bow in silence, and revere 

One scarcely fettered to this mortal sphere, 

Such inward glory sits upon thy brow, 

And, from thy lips, such heavenly teachings 

flow, 
Timid with awe at first, I feared to roam 
The exalted sphere which forms thy spirit's 

home. 

Though strength, and greatness, on thy steps. 

attend, 
The gentler virtues with their rigors blend 
Sweet Love and Wisdom, in thy spirit mild, 
And unassuming as a httle child, 



TO 31 

Simple and truthful, earnest and sincere, 
We can but love th«ee, wkom we so revere. 

Though all around, as waiting thy -command, 
With brows severe, the souls of Wisdom stand, 
Seraphs of Love on wings irradiant fly, 
Flashing aliiwart the clearness of thy sky, > 

In dazzling gleams of such immortal light, 
My eyelids droop to shield my tranced sight 

And now, methinks, more vast the arches grow; 
Oh G-od ! what see I, passing to and fro ? 
Beings perfected so beyond compare, 
Filling with brightness all the ravished air, 
To the wide hum of such entrancing strains, 
The languid blood seems sleeping in my veins! 

This deep excess of sweetness pours around 
A cloud of glory, and a flood of sound, 
Of such melodious, and pervading power, 
My soul grows richer from this very hour 
With a more noble sense of high and true, 
More lovely love, and beauty's fairer hue. 
This blessed vision shall return, in gleams. 
Dazzling but soft, to all my golden dreams. 
And spite of sorrow, pain, and inward strife, 
Wreathe a bright halo round my future life. 



32 TEMPEST-TOSSED. 

0, gentle spirit ! whose serene control 
Moves to exalt and purify my soul ; 
Whose inspirations, hopeful and sublime, 
Shall work their purpose to remotest time, 
It is more blest to give^ than to receive, 
Mildest of Mentors, well may I believe, 
The rapturous joys, that on my soul attend, 
This hour, on thee, in deeper streams descend. 

yes, I see, but never may impart, 
How beats thy heart with the Eternal Heart I 
How soul to soul, and mind to mastering mind, 
Thy thoughts, in God, their sphering centre find ; 
How His high glories, with too rich excess, 
In hearts hke thine their vailed beams express, 
Humanely vailed to spare our feebleness ; 
While the fair temple, now thy soul's abode, 
Grlows with the presence of the living Grod. 



TEMPEST-TOSSED. 

When the wild, wild winds awake from sleep, 
And over the earth in fury sweep, 
From angry sky to heaving deep. 

Come terror and dismay. 



TEMPEST-TOSSED, 33 

Changing for ever, from quick to slow. 
Fearfully loud, or strangely low, 
They fill us with awe, as on they go^ 
Enveloped in mystery. 

When the dread storm-spirit sends them forth, 
From the far, far regions of the north, 
Earth trembhngly shrinks as if most loth 
To encounter their array. 

They hurry along, and laugh, to mock 
The quiveriog trees, which seem to flock 
Closely together, and wait the shock 
Of the terrible affray ! 

The proudest ash, and the mighty oak, 
Are shorn of strength by their sturdy stroke. 
And their giant limbs are wrenched and broke, 
And in scattered fragments lie. 

And feebler ones, that had fondly made 
Their humble homes in its spreading shade, 
Nor felt, in its sheltering arms, afraid, — 
Their shivered honors fly 1 

As helpless, oh timid soul, art thou, 
And wilt need some sheltering oak, I trow, 
When the storms of life shall fiercely blow, 
In hurricanes on thee. 



34 TEMPEST-TOSSED. 

Look up I look up, to the blest abode I 
Lean on the arm of thy Saviour Grod, 
Confidingly, as thou walk'st life's road ; 

For thy sheltering guide, is He. 

Oh yes ! but the tension of mind will tire, 
In this upward gaze, and thy soul desire 
One like itself, though it were higher, 
Its Guardian to be. 

Ah, ever may friendship over me fling 
The shielding cloak of its sheltering wing; 
A faitliiul friend is a precious thing. 
And a sacred one to me. 

The sweetest thought to my spirit given 
Of our final home in the halls of heaven, 
Is this, that the ties will ne'er be riven, 
Of friends in Eternity. 



OUR VALLEY LILY. 35 



OUR VALLEY LILY. 

A pale and modest flow'ret is in our gardens 
found, 

So close to earth, it has its birth, it would be 

seldom seen, 
But for the heavenly fragrance, it scattereth 

around, 
A choice perfume, that makes the bloom as 

regal as a Queen. 

And gentle human Spirits are growing thus on 
earth. 

Who shrink away, as if the day their native 
heaven shut out. 

The incense of whose spirit-life betrays their 
heavenly birth. 

By the pure and hallowed perfume, their pre- 
sence breathes about. 

Far from their holy influence the vile and erring 
flee. 

So sweet and fair, in cloistral air, the home 
which they inherit. 

The purely chaste and glorified, a blissful com- 
pany. 

Seek evermore the chancel door, and love to 
linger near it 



36 CANZOITETTA, 

Thus Alice, gentle Alice, thy meeknesses serene, 
A halo shed around thy head, which crowns 
thee as a Queenv 



CANZONETTA. 



TO LITTLE FLOY, 



Leaf, and bud, and blossom, 

As ye spring to birth, 
On the bounteous bosom 

Of our mother earth. 
Ye dispel all sadness, 

Put to flight all care, 
Make delight, and gladness, 

Leap up everywhere ! 

Dreary ! Oh, how dreary ! 

Were this world of ours, 
And how sad and weary. 

But for gentle flowers. 
What a dismal glooming, 

Darkens every scene 
Where no flowers are blooming, 

Where no leaves are green. 



THE LOVE CIRCLE. 37 

Floy ! within thy bosom, 

Waiting thy command, 
Are leaf, bud, and blossom 

Ready to expand. 
Thou their growth must cherish, 

Nurture their perfume. 
Or wiU droop, and perish, 

Leaf, and bud, and bloom. 

When thou shalt array them, 

Beautiful and bright. 
Angels shall convey them 

To the realms of light. 
There to bloom for ever 

In celestial bowers, 
Where no winter ever 

Blights the precious flowers. 



THE LOVE CIRCLE. 

Never taken for another 
Could he be, thy peerless brother, 
Radiant as eastern skies 
With the chrism of sunrise, 
As, in loving-kindness, he 
Bends a Christ-look over thee. 
4 



38 THE LOVE CIRCLE. 

List ! oh, listen ! he is seeking, 
With a musical, low, speaking, 
Both our spirits to impress 
"With the sweetest tenderness ; 
More inspiring me, the while, 
With the sunlight of his smile. 

Vibratory nerves, be still ! 
Hush thy waywardness, my will I 
Pulses, yet more noiseless beat, 
And, as in the heart you meet. 
Let no sudden thrill declare 
All the rapture trembling there. 

Oh, what transports thrill my frame I 
As a glory-kindling flame. 
These divine revealings flow. 
Permeating, through and through. 
All my inmost depths of being, 
Till my hfe seems fleeing, fleeing. 

Hark ! he says, or seems to say, 

" Would'st thou heavenly realms survey, 

Leave thy home, and soar with me, 

Not with fear, but trustingly ; 

Leave the earth and its hopes below 

The soul alone treads the path we go." 



THE LOVE CIRCLE. 39 

For a moment I waver to and fro 

As a bird will swing on a swaying bough, 

Then upward, as swift as the rushing storm, 

I am borne, as I cling to his perfect form; 

On, and on, over fields of ether, 

Through limitless realms we soar together ! 

And now in the midst of a glorious band, 
In the midst of a glorious scene, I stand; 
His circle above, is a Circle of Love ; 
In the smile of the Father they live, and move ; 
Through my inmost nature its glow I feel, 
As, with reverent love, at His feet I kneel. 

"Father! dear Father!" I joyfully cry. 
And my voice is echoed along the sky ; 
As the sweet appeal to my lip is springing, 
From angel tongues is an anthem ringing. 
And I join in the chorus, " Oh, Father dear !" 
My loving soul draws softly near. 

Now on my forehead rests, gently caressing, 
A nail-scarred hand overfull of blessing. 
And, " Daughter beloved," He saitb, " arise 1" 
As with tearful eyes, in a glad surprise, 
I feel the blessing, a holy presence, 
Thrill my soul to its ultimate essence. 



40 THE LOVE CIRCLE. 

I turn to the beautiful spirit bands, 
Where my radiant guardian angel stands, 
With his gUttering wings but half out-spreaa ; 
And a halo of glory around his head, 
That, over his flowing curls of brown, 
Sheds a threefold lustre, a triple crown. 

Brightest, he seems, of the brilliant throng, 
And as now, with wide wings waved along, 
They are onward borne 'mid the amber clouds, 
Oh, God ! how each flashing pinion crowds 
With crimson glories my reeling brain. 
Till my eyeUds droop with their weight of pain I 

Right hither their rapid way they wing, 

holy Christ ! what a song they sing I 
Such sounds have never my spirit stirred ; 

Oh list ; for methinks, I can catch some wofd, — 
" Love ! Love !" is the chorus, and Love the 

theme ; 
Oh, can this be but a fleeting dream! 

A golden harp they've brought to me, 

1 touch its strings in an ecstasy. 

And gushing song from my soul is leaping. 
And wings start out from my shoulders sweeping- 
O wonder, I feel their plumes unfold 
In waves of purple and gleams of gold. 



RECOGNITION. 41 

Oh glorious wings 1 will ye bear me on 
Where the angel band in their flight have gone ? 
They pause, they hover for me, they stay ; 
They beckon, they beckon to call me away; 
I fly, I fly, like a bird; I am winging 
Up, up through the light, 'mid the perfumes 
singing. 

A moment, a moment, blest vision of light, 
Let me know ere I go if I see thee aright. 
Afar the old earth as a vapor I see 
Where the friends I have left are watching for 

me; 
The choir of the angels grows dim, and more dim, 
The fairest fades last, till I lose even him. 



RECOGNITIOJT. 



I SEE thee walking, hand in hand, with Fame 
I hear the throbbings of the loud acclaim 
Of souls, who, at the tremblings of thy lyre 
Catch inspiration from its chords of fire ; 
Whilst thou, in regnant beauty, as a queen, 
Rul'st in all hearts, with dignity serene. 
4* 



42 LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 

Oh, could my song give language to my heart, 
What answering music from thy own would 

start I 
But my untutored tongue is poor, and weak, 
The silent victories of thy soul to speak, 
Or yet some prayer, in deep'ning love, to pour 
That God may keep, and bless thee, evermore ! 



LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 

Ah, hast thou borne the load of care, 
That weighs the spirit down ? 

Drank the black waters of despair, 
Thy every hope that drown ? 

• 

Seen all the stars of joy go out, 
As, one by one, they sank 

Into the soundless sea of doubt. 
Leaving thy heavens a blank ? 

Felt, as a flame, the darkness burn 

Into thy fainting heart. 
And could nor sun, nor moon discern, 

Their healing to impart? 



LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 43 

Felt darksome doubts, and nameless fears, 

Crowding upon thy brain, 
"While the deep fount of mellowing tears 

Withheld refreshing rain ? 

Felt in thy soul as desolate, 

Unfriended, and alone, 
As chained, by some relentless fate, 

To the Promethean stone ? 

Ah, yes ! the vulture's beak I see 

Smite on thy spirit form, 
And the swift hail of agony, 

And sorrow's whelming storm ! 

Thy cherished hope, and love, and pride, 

Like reeds are cloven down ; 
While doubt and dark despair, allied. 

In clouds of horror frown. 

Still I feel a painful wonder 

That a spirit, formed as thine, 
Had not trod its trials under, 

With a potency divine. 

He, thy loved one, early sinking 

In the frost of wint'ry skies, 
That bright one, so early drinking 

The new wines of Paradise 1 



44 LIGHT IN DABKNESS. 

Now a radiant angel, roving 
In a sphere of perfect bliss, — 

Would'st thou he were longer proving 
The heart- wasting cares of this ? 

No, thou readest not so dimly 
Of the Future, of the Now ; 

While new trust, and love, supremely 
Rest upon thy spirit brow, 

The serene inspiring glances. 
Beaming from his heavenly eye ; 

Every feeling it entrances 
To a sweet intensity. 

"With a pure, exalted mission, 
PalUd suffering comes to thee ; 

Let it speak the full expression 
Of its destined ministry. 

Oh, behold ! he stands before us, 
Dazzling to our mental sight. 

As his presence kindles o'er us 
Flashes of bewildering light ; 

Of a sunshine, radiating 

All my inmost spirit through ; 

Of a love-fire, consecrating 
With a baptism pure and true. 



THE LIFTED VAIL. 

Oh ! I bless thee, noble spirit, 
For the vision thou hast given ; 

Through its presence we inherit 
Yet another hold on heaven. 

In my soul comes such a longing 
To untwine this fleshly coil. 

So to join the spirits, thronging 
On the Paradisean soil ! — 

Yet it is not well to cherish 

Such intensity of fire ; 
So, with the sweet vision, perish 

All this over- wrought desire I 

All the past, with peace, surrender ; 

Crown the present with new joy ; 
And thy latest pang shall render, 

To thy arms, thy darling Boy I 



45 



THE LIFTED TAIL. 

Oh, Lady ! lift thy mournful eyes ; 

Why should despair so blind their sight? 
See I yonder in the red'ning skies. 

Wrestles the all-controlling light. 



46 THE LIFTED VAIL. 

Angels, to minister relief, 

Are bending from the calm above ; 
Oh, fleetly, may this chilling grief 

Yield to the influence of their love. 

Dear Lady, very well I know 

Thy inner life is clouded o'er 
With a benumbing, deadening woe, 

A clinging mist on sea and shore ; 
Though from thy sufifering heart will fall 

The mellow notes of hope and cheer, 
And thy pale hand would lift the pall 

That darkens o'er the stricken, here. 

A heavenly prophecy I bear, 

Of Peace, upon my spirit lips, 
Thou canst discern the ocean where 

Its poUshed wings, that halcyon dips. 
It comes to teach that strength divine 

Shall triumph o'er this martyrdom. 
And that high victory shall be thine, 

"Which but to struggling souls can come. 

Already hath the darkness flung 
Apart her mantle, torn and gray, 

And, though the dawn hath feebly sprung, 
'T will culminate to perfect day. 



THE LIFTED VAIL. 47 

Be patient then, for, bravely borne, 
Shall Triumph on thy banners rest, 

And the dark demon hence be torn, 
That clings, a nightmare, to thy breast. 

Divinest joys my spirit fill 

While thus I pierce the darkness through, 
And see thy future clear, and still. 

And beautiful, as heaven's own blue. 
As thy dissolving gloom I scan, 

With a most earnest spirit glance, 
The wings of warder angels fan 

My cheek, and deeper grows the trance. 

A spirit form is near us now, 

Of manly presence, proud and bold. 
The language of his ample brow 

Is full of histories untold. 
He draws thee to his heart of hearts. 

His arms around thee gently twine, 
And the delicious strain imparts 

To thee, a prescience Divine. 

No longer weak, thou standest up, 

With heart redeemed from loss, and doubt; 

Thou drinkest of the mingled cup 
The angel of thy life pours out. 



48 TO ■ 

Strength, born of weakness, shall be thine, 
Hope, from the anguish of despair. 

The faith, and power, of love divine, 
Shall all the erring past repair. 



TO 



I LOVE thee, lady ! and have loved thee long ; 
And every utterance of thy simplest song 
Finds, in my soul, an echo warm and true, 
And clearly opens, to my mental view, 
Thy spirit's quiet and exalted home, 
Whither good angels love so well to come. 
And often, lady, from the realms of t^iought, 
A votive offering I to thee have brought. 
But when, all trembling, I approached the shrine 
Where burned a fire so lofty and divine, 
I feared my gift too simple was to place 
Beside the first-fruits which that altar grace. 
And I have turned, reluctantly, away, 
With loitering steps, unwiUing to obey. 

But now I view thee as a sister soul, 
And journey with thee to the self-same goal, 
I feel new life through all my pulses start. 
While thus I read the pages of thy heart, 



TO •. 49 

Rarely to mortals, in this nether sphere, 
Come revelations so exceeding clear. 
Thy spirit's features I as plainly trace 
As, in a mirror, my reflected face. 
"Would that my soul might be unvailed thus, 
That my flesh garments were as luminous I 

One moment more, dear lady, I intrude ; 
Oh, deem me not presumptuous, vain, or rude ; 
Unskilled, unlettered, is this heart of mine. 
Simple and childish, when compared with thine ; 
Yet see ! this harp, which is at my command, 
"Was strung and given me by an angel's hand, 
"Who taught me all the beatific skill, 
To wake its numbers whensoe'er I will ; 
And listen, lady ! as, that skill to prove. 
Across the silken strings my fingers move. 
Oh, hearest thou the rapturous tones that flow 
From its ethereal chords! while on heaven's 

brow 
The angels listen, or, with waving wing. 
Send back, responsive, the sweet songs they 

sing I 
Their choral theme, transcendently subKme, 
Is the ascending, glorious march of time. 
Whose mingUng numbers rise, and fall, and 

swell. 
Like the high pealings of a minster beU. 



50 



QUEEN HELEN. 



Would we more perfect and harmonious grow, 
Thought, word, and action, thus should interflow, 
Keeping full concord, and symphonious time, 
With heaven, and earth, and ocean's mystic 
chime. 



"QUEEX HELEN." 

They who profess the floral tongues to know, 

Say that each blossom hath one, all its own , 
That from the hps of this, for ever flow 

The prophecies of change ; that in its tone 
There lurks a sadness, such as loved ones feel 

When those who loved them have become 
estranged. 
But these fair leaves no waning faith conceal. 

They bear the language of a heart unchanged 
To thee. Queen Helen ! from my golden bowers ; 

Full of the memories of the treasured past, 
These crimson leaflets of bignonia flowers 

Trembling with rapture, at thy feet I cast, 
Thou canst discern the deeper sense, that lies 
Wreathed in their heart, unseen of unanointed 
eyes. 



CROSS AND CROWN 51 



CROSS AND CROWN. 

Deep within thy inmost spirit, 

Where the herds of rough, and rude, 

Cannot drink, nor browse anear it, — 
Far from all that would intrude, 

Lies a waveless, sunny, lakelet, 

So serenely crystalline, 
Earthly voices cannot wake it 

Prom its silences divine. 

Birds of brightest hues are winging 
O'er its bosom hushed, and still. 

While the raptures of their singing 
Its profoundest waters thrill. 

Earnest hopes, and sportive wishes, 
Round in circling eddies turn ; 

Playful fancies, like bright fishes. 
Glitter in the Naiad's urn. 

When discordant tones, or voices, 
Prom the outward, to thee come, 

Undisturbed, thy soul rejoices 
In this quiet spirit-home. 



/52 CROSS AND CROWN. 

God is ever very tender 

Of a soul incased like thine, 
In a frame so frail and slender; 

And our angel-friends incline, 

Evermore, to shield, and cherish. 

One whose life must pine, and wait,— 

Leaving no sweet hope to perish 
Under a relentless fate. j 

Suffering is a purifier. 

If we will not shrink, and make 
More intense the scathing fire 

By vain strugghngs at the stake. 

What if, for life's little hour, 

Fleshly chains are round us thrown ? 
See we not, it is the power 

By which martyrs win their crown ? 

Euder souls would bear, unfeeling. 
Shocks that stun thy every sense ; 

Standing firm, while thou wert reeling 
With an agony intense. 

Still in musing, as I ponder 
O'er life's deeply hidden things. 

Evermore there comes the wonder, 
Whence are its exhaustless springs? 



THE EIVULET. 53 

"Whence the latent strength, upspringing 

In such gentle, timid souls ? 
A bright halo o'er them flinging, 

Which, before our eyes, unrolls 

The sublime, and startling, histories 

Of their unseen, inner life. 
Deep revealings, deeper mysteries, 

"With untold experience rife ? 

And One answers, in a murmur 

Of subdued delight, and saith, 
Clay may fail, but souls grow firmer, 

By their inbred Love and Faith ; 
Clay may die, but souls grow firmer, 

Soaring, victors over death ! 



THE EIYULET. 



A LITTLE stream went flowing, 
And humming, towards the sea, 

"With valley hlies growing 
Beside it, tenderly. 
5* 



54 THE RITULET. 

Tall trees, their arms above it 
With sheltering kindness spread; 

Well did the Sunbeams love i* 
And laugh along its bed. 

The earth unvailed her bosom 

That she might shield its flow, 
And bending bud and blossom 

Reflect themselves below. 
The still and solemn midnight 

Its holy influence lent ; 
With the sacred moon's half-hid light, 

And whispering star beams blent. 

All heavenly visitations, 

To gladden the sweet stream, — 
All misty exhalations, 

Were mingled with its dream. 
The silent darkness doubled, 

Just ere the morning broke, 
Its seeming depth, untroubled, 

Till a breezy laughter woke. 

The twilight oft would linger, 

Entranced, above it long, 
As a maid, with lifted finger. 

Stands listening to a song. 



THE RIVULET. 56 

The plants and tree-roots twining, 

Through the earth all parched with thirst, 

Would drink till their berries shining 
And beautiful globes, would burst. 

No poisonous leaf or blossom, 

Distained its tranquil flow, 
Though on its lovely bosom 

They floated, to and fro, 
And because it ever went gliding^ 

Round rock, and crag, and hill. 
Some said 't was faithless, biding 

No certain course, or wiU. 

Its motions were so noiseless. 

The bubbles, as they broke 
On the pebbly brink, leapt voiceless ; 

Not an Echo-nymph awoke, 
TiU its crystal cascades, bounding, 

"Went down the hills with a leap, 
A glorious music sounding 

Till the Naiads sprang from sleep. 
And then, with a tranced motion, 

An even step, and true, 
Life's flowery vale, to the ocean. 

It danced and rippled through. 



56 IRENE. 



IRENE. 



Beautiful, tender, 

And gentle Irene ? 
Oh, wilt thou surrender, 

With spirit serene, 
A life, bright and vernal, 

In freshness of youth, 
For riches eternal, 

Of goodness and truth ? 
Wilt thou bow thy sweet head 

At the summoning voice 
Of Him who hath said, 

" Come to me and rejoice 1 
When sorrows attend \hee. 

In sickness or woe, 
For I will befriend thee, 

And lead thee to know 
That Peace which, descending, 

Flows on hke a river. 
So blending, unending. 

Sweet harmonies, ever." 

Though whirlwinds are raging, 
And rude tempests sweep, 

And the elements waging 
Wild war on the deep. 



IRENE. 67 



His Infinite Will 

All their fury can stay, 
His low "Peace be still!" 

They forever obey. 

Then, calm with assurance, 

Repose on His breast; 
Be strong in endurance ; 

He giveth thee rest. 
His angels He sendeth 

On thee to attend ; 
Above thee He bendeth, 

A father, and friend. 
In each trial hour. 

As a radiant zone. 
His right arm of power 

Around thee is thrown. 

A Saviour, now wearing 

His Infinite charms, 
As a lambkin, is bearing 

Thy soul in His arms ; 
Or, borne on His bosom, 

To regions above, 
Thou shalt be as a blossom 

Of goodness and love, 



58 HEAVENLY PEACE. 

In His garden of beauty- 
Forever to bloom, 

In the green strength of duty, 
And love's own perfume. 

"We •will not forget thee 

Our darling Irene, 
But, star-jeweled, set thee 

As light of each scene ; 
Thy love will bloom sweetly, 

Thy memory be green, 
Till, deathless, we meet thee, 

Our darhng Irene I 



HEAVENLY PEACE. 

Oh Ught, intensely golden, 
Yet mellow in its hue, 

How softly it is molten 
In the empyrean blue ! 

Oh, spirits bright, I hail ye 1 
Companions of my way, 

No danger can assail me, 

Where'er my footsteps stray. 



THE FLOWER BASKET. 69 

Oh, angels ! most entrancing, 

Are your supernal charms, 
As, lovingly advancing. 

Ye vv^ave your snowy arms. 

Oh, white wings, gently smoothing 
My lips, and cheek, and brow, 

Serenely ye are soothing 
My wildest fancies now ! 

Oh, mother, queen of Heaven, 

Thy smiles upon me rest ; 
Once more to me is given 

To slumber on thy breast. 

Oh, slumber most alluring, 

All heavenly and divine 
Oh, peace for aye enduring, 

Joy ! Joy ! that it is mine. 



THE FLOWER BASKET. 

A BASKET of flowers — the basket of moss — 
A braid of green rushes, thrown lightly across 
The frolicsome blooms, which peep from between 
A fringe of bright laurel leaves, shining and 
green; 



60 THE DARK RIVER. 

The crimson verbena, the cottager's child, 
With pinks, single pinks, by no culture defiled, 
Sad vridows in mourning, and bachelors true, 
In dresses of white, pink, purple and blue ; 
Facetious old bachelors I taking a nap, 
With heads pillowed soft, in the flower spirit's 

lap, 
While pansies, geraniums, and sweet scented 

blooms, • 

Beguile the swift hours with songs and per- 
fumes ; 
A vision of beauty, which gladdens my view, 
As the flowers are gladdened by sunlight and 
dew 



THE DARK RIVER. 

Once, over my sleeping. 
This vision came sweeping : 
I wandered alone by a deep river*s side : 
Their white arms entwining, 
The Naiads, reclining 
Floated down with the crystalline tide. 

O'er the bright waters bending, 
The wood Nymphs were blending 



l-HE DARK RIVER. 61 

Their long shining tresses, that flovingly swept 
The wavelets' soft bosom, 
Where leaflet and blossom 
Were rocked to and fro, as they ^ept. 

And here as I strayed. 
With heart all dismayed 
By the sorrows that came in a throng, 
A Nymph, with a face 
Pull of sweetness and grace. 
Sat singing an exquisite song. 

And as I drew near. 
Stooping forward to hear 
Her low and melodious singing, 
She raised her soft eyes, 
FuU of pleasant surprise. 
And her voice, o'er the bright waters ring- 
ing, 

Stirred the pleasant profound, 
The air trembled around, 
Her jubilant music rose higher, 
Till my rapturous brain 
Thrilled with consummate pain, 
And kindled my senses with fire. 
6 



62 THE DARK RIVER. 

Then I shrank from the cold 
Of her tightening hold, 
And we sank with a moan and a shiver j 
My soul shudders now, 
And damp is my brow. 
As I think of that dark flowing river 

We plunged with the speed 
Of a rushing storm steed 
Through the depths of that whirling abyss, 
And the cold as a dart, 
Sent a pang through my heart. 
Yet it thrilled with a transport of bliss. 

Above and below, 
The stars, to and fro, 
As sentinels moved o'er the stream ; 
But their wavering light 
On the ripples fell bright, 
In spirals of silvery gleam. 

With merriest glances, 
And gracefulest dances, 
Fair forms, wheeled around on the tid^ 
" Oh give me a lyre. 
Sweet soul ! and inspire 
Such joy in my bosom," I cried. 



THE DARK RIVER. 63 

Suddenly I seemed uplifted, 

In their mazes slowly drifted, 
Amid melodies ecstatic ; 

And the lyre my touch obeying, 

I, with, them, was sweetly playing 
Symphonies and airs erratic. 

And my lips, too, were unsealed, 

And to me there were revealed 
Canticles of Love Divine ; 

And I chanted one sweet strain 

O'er and o'er, and o'er again. 
Ever, thus, to make it mine. 

But their songs were for my sleep, 

As they trembled through the deep, 
Though the vision's light will stay. 

And the memory of the singing 

Will my soul revisit, bringing 
Bright and holy thoughts, alway. 

0, the rapture of my waking 

From that slumber ! day was breaking, 

And the heavens were all aglow; 
Light upon the eastern skies 
Flashed as heavenly prophecies. 

And a voice distinctly low, 



64 THE BRIGHT RIVER. 

Whispered to my spirit-ear, 
" Be of good and sunny cheer ; 

Let thy cares and sorrows cease, 
Though life's waters, deep and cold, 
Darkly over thee have rolled, 
Brief is their ungentle power. 
And within thy soul, this hour, 

Angels sing of love and peace." 



THE BRIGHT RIYER. 

"What discordances chaotic 

Still dispute with us the way ; 
How the senses rule, despotic, 

Bearing the soul's life away ; 
While all false and baseless Fay-dreams 

Creep like truths into the hearty 
Banishing the fairest day-beams 

That would purer hght impart. 

Thus the homes which we inherit, — 
Beautiful beyond compare, — 

Harbor, each, a crouching spirit, 
All too weak to will, or dare I 



THE BRIGHT RIVER. 65 

And our eyes we're ever closing 

To the light, so freely given, 
'Mid inglorious joys reposing, 

All unmindful of our Heaven, 
And the angels hovering o'er us, 

Beckoning us, so kindly, on — 
Blessed spirits, who, before us, 

To the blissful realms have gone. 

Oh, my sisters I oh, my brothers I 

Walking blindfold in the dark, 
Know ye not how falsehood smothers, 

In your souls, each vital spark ? 
Will ye not arouse you, breaking 

From the bondage of the clay? 
Long ago the morn was waking 

To a more transcendent day. 

On the walls of heaven are walking 

Angels of immortal birth, 
Bending down the azure, talking, 

Face to face, with souls on earth. 
They have waited long, to bless us, 

Full of tenderness and care, 
Scattering in our paths all precious 

Flowers of joy, that blossom where 
6* 



66 THE BRIGHT RIVER. 

Love's celestial founts are springing, 

Nourished by ambrosial showers, 
And all bright winged birds are singing 

In the incense-freighted bowers. 
Ay, and they would greet us, telling 

Of the hoher things they see. 
In the glory-hghted dwelUng 

Of Incarnate Deity I 

Lo, a bridge of light is skying 

Death's transparent river-flow 1 
And the pebbles, under-lying. 

Glitter in the deeps below. 
Never more shall it grow turbid 

From the storms of grief and care ; 
Unbelief no more disturb it, 

Nor the blackness of despair. 

Even the bubbling of its foam is 

With a mystic charm endued. 
And a bow of sweetest promise 

Hangs above it, seven-hued ; 
And the meaning of its flowing 

Waxes ever more divine, 
And the sands, beneath it glowing. 

Are of pearl, and crystalline. 



THE BRK5HT RIVER. 67 

Sw-eetlj flowing, tranquil river ! 

Gliding, noiseless, on thy Way, 
Never more from thee, forever, 

Shall we shrink, in fear, away. 

Oh, sweet river I as weVe gliding 

So serenely down thy stream. 
Seems it as in one abiding, 

All-entrancing, glory-dream! 
Deaih, thou angel of pure brightness, 

Death, thou vision of delight. 
Though our souls were ne'er so sightless, 

Thou wilt turn to day their night. 

As a young babe, sweetly sleeping 

In the mother's fond embrace. 
We consign unto thy keeping 

All the loved of time and place, 
There is rapture in but thinking 

Of t!ais river so sublime, 
Where we^ll stoop with angels, drinking 

In the blissful after-tinae. 

Thus, dbi, thus then, slowly drifting, 

Drifting, drifting, slowly on, 
Where the glorious arch is lifting, 

Through which our beloved have gone, — 



68 THE BRIGHT RIVER. 

Underneath it floating slowly, 
Slowly floating, floating slow, 

Through resplendent scenes of glory, 
Where melodious rivers flow,^ 

Now with swifter, swifter motion, 

Swaying with the swaying tide,— 
Onward, to the shoreless ocean 

Of eternity, we glide t 
Ocean, ruffled but by rlmplings 

Of sweet airs from odorous Isles, 
And the drowsy, dallying dimplings 

Of the winged zephyr's smiles. 

Oh, so blissful are the gleamings, 

Gleamings of the bliss to be. 
So delicious the dear dreamings, 

Dreamings of Eternity, 
That the rapturous revealings 

Antedate their heaven in me, 
And, in hallowing all my feelings, 

Flood them with sweet ecstasy. 



LATENT JOY. 69 



THE BOQUET OF PINKS. 

Pinks, beautiful pinks 1 ye have surely come, 
In your fragrancy, fresh from, my country home, 
Far, far from the din of the city's strife, 
Where redolent zephyrs are springing to life ; 
For there, in a sweetly sheltered spot, 
Lies my childhood's cherished flower plot ; 
And pinks of my planting, now blooming therCj 
Breathe the very same perfumes on the air, 
That are thriUing my senses with exquisite pain, 
As I drink of your incense again and again ; 
And memory wakes in my innermost heart 
Dim childish dreams, till I shrink and start 
At the echo sweet of some long lost sound, 
Or the deep'ning scar of some cruel wound. 



LATENT JOY. 



The hallowed hopes that over thee brood, 
And the perfumed breath of thy womanhood, 
As the blessed deeds of the true, and good, 

Are shedding forever, around thy way, 
An odor of sweetness, and love, that aye 
Grows deeper, and sweeter, all the day I 



70 LATENT JOT. 

I feel in a sacred, a charmed spot, 
And into its depths I venture not, 
Till my soul is redeemed from stain and blot. 

A power of re-vision is over me cast ; 
I tread with thee through a darkened past, 
Where gleams and glooms give a strange con- 
trast. 

Is the sense of thy guardian*s symbol clear ? 
Was thy childhood darkened with doubt and 

fear, 
And hovering fogs, all damp and drear ? 

Was thy little bosom rudely tossed 

By pangs relentless, and fond hopes crossed, 

Till thy childish faith was almost lost ? 

Still canst thou remember sweet glimpses of 

blue, 
When the sombre clouds let the sunlight 

through, 
With shimmer, and gUmmer, to cheer thy view ? 

And moments dawned when gladness came 

Into thy heart, as a leaping flame, 

And joy, bright joy I was no longer a name. 



LATENT JOY. 71 

And at times a purpose, strong and high, 
Shone on thy cheek and burned in thine eye,| 
Aud that proud heart beat triumphantly I 

I tremble, abashed, and am half afraid, 

The daedalous paths of thy heart to thread, — 

The secret heart of a fair, young maid I 

And down, over many a sacred scene, 
Over many a closed, and hallowed spot, 

Thy guardian angel drops a screen, 
And, with gentle tone, says, "Enter not" 

But she silently points to a fearful weight 
That over thy heart's young hope was hung, 

And tells how the cruel hand of Fate, 

From that heart, the bitterest drops hath 
wrung. 

She holds a wreath of thy past to me ; 

Oh ! say, is the garland's symbol true ? 
Mid the brightest buds, and blossoms free. 

Are cypress leaves, and the twigs of yew I 

But sorrow itself hath a mission high ; 

And Hope's defeats are not all in vain ; 
Some joy is latent in every sigh. 

Some pleasure responds to the keenest pain. 



72 RENUNCIATION. 

The past shall serve, as a winding stair, 
To action still more noble, and true ; 

And the galling chains of an old despair 
Hold the golden seal of a promise new I 



KENTJNCIATION. 



Gently I touch me gently, Brother I 
Ah, methinks thou now can'st see 

All the grief I sought to smother, 
In my inmost soul, for thee. 

Tenderly thy name is cherished, 

Faithfully thine honor kept. 
But for evermore hath perished 

The strange passion, once which swept 

O'er me, as a storm sweeps ocean. 

As a whirlwind, or a fire, 
Kindhng, to intense emotion. 

Every sensuous desire I 

Every tendril of fine feehng. 

Seemed around thy strength to grow; 
Every passionate revealing, 

Took a more impassioned glow, 



RENUNCIATION. 73 

Till my spirit-life seemed fading, 
Fading, withering, as a flower, 

Which the hot hand of the Day King 
Clutches with too fierce a power. 

Eaise thou not a hushing finger ; 

I must speak, and thou must hear I 
Kever an impassioned singer 

Chanted notes more deep and clear. 

Had I loved thee truly, purely, 

I had never lost that truth ; 
Had thy love been wiser, surely 

Better were it now, for both. 

Better ! no ; I would say, rather, 

It were better as it is, — 
Better for the strength I gather. 

From a lesson learned like this. 

For the troth kiss to thee plighted, 
Never could have been, to me. 

Like the pure flame I have Hghted 
At the fires of Calvary. 

'Mid the jarring of my heart strings, 

Sweetest symphony awoke, 
As when, with clear notes, a bard sings 

In a battle's storm and smoke. 
7 



74 RENUNCIATION. 

And it calmed my every feeling, 
Soothed my passion's wildest cry, 

Till each sense sank, reverent, kneeling 
At the Cross imploringly. 

Oh, I pray thee, do not tarry. 
One memorial hour with me. 

Since I never more can carry 
The old tenderness for thee. 

As a stranger, stranger only. 
Do I clasp thy proffered hand. 

And my feelings, gay or lonely. 
Thou canst never more command. 

Go, I cannot need thy presence ; 

Leave me, from this fleeting hour ; 
Or thy memory, as a pleasance, 

"Will have lost its charmed power. 

Let the dear old past be treasured, 
As a something sacred still ; 

I, its loftiest heights who measured, 
Its profoundest deeps can fill. 

Of thai past I learn to borrow 
Hope's serenest guiding star, 

Not a rack of dark'ning sorrow 
Its effulgency can mar. 



RENUNCIATION. 75 

From that past a power is stealing, 

Silently, and all divine, 
And its holiest revealing 

I have made forever mine. 

Leave then, leave the few pale roses, 

That within my spirit bloom, 
For the hues their heart discloses, 

And the sweets of their perfume. 

Surely, pale and scentless seeming, 
Must they be, to sense and eyes, 

Gladdened by the gardens, gleaming 
With the flowers of Paradise. 

Go I these ears no more shall listen 
To that winning voice of tliine, 

And these eyes no longer glisten 
WilJi pale feeling's treacherous sign. 

For the future, now, must prove me 
Strong in purpose, firm, and still; 

Passion never more shall move me. 
From the sceptred strength of wilL 



76 CLARE AND LILLIE. 



THE DIFFERENCE. 

Men speak of grief as if they wer'^j acquaint . 

Therewith, or it were possible for them, 
Though chastened by afl&ictions, e'er to paint, 

Or to conceive the woes, that as a flame, 
Consume the heart of woman. They do not 

OjBTer their heart's whole wealth upon Love's 
shrine ; 
Altar and incense are too oft forgot. 

In striving with the world, delving the mine 
For gold, or the poor purchase of a Name. 

She in her heart's devotion ever kneels. 
Her oJBfering burns in one undying flame ; 

Hiding her pain but his she knows and feels, 
She lives, loves, hopes, and dies for him alone ; 

Woe, that such love and faith by man are 
overthrown ! 



CLARE AND LILLIB. 

Oh, I see your little Lillian ! 

See your hly-bud so sweet, 
Floating amid clouds vermilion, 

With all loveliness replete. 



CLARE AND LILLIE. 77 

Oh, the soul-entrancing beauty 
Of the matchless Shining One I 

We should bow in worship, could we 
Catch its full and perfect tone. 

Angels shield my tranced spirit I 

This is sure some glory-child, 
Born of beings who inherit 

Natures pure and undefiled ; 
What a glory floats around her, 

What a gleam is o'er her spread ; 
With white lilies they have crowned her 

Meekly-bending, graceful head. 

Locks, of sunny light are flowing 

O'er the whiteness of her brow, 
While her dimpled hands are throwing 

Recognition towards us, now. 
Father ! mother ! can your feeling 

Catch her presence bright and blest ? 
Does the beautiful revealing. 

Fill your souls with holy rest ? 

Lo, another spirit, bending 

Down the roseate serene ; 
Fuller maidenhood is blending 

In her graceful form, and mien j 

7* 



78 CLARE AND LILLIE. 

Vails of gossamer are flowing 

Down her white limbs, to her feet, 

And the zephyrs, round her blowing, 
Are all redolent of sweet. 

Eound her neck, and on her bosom, 

Hangs a fragrant garland bright, 
Formed of every beauteous blossom 

Springing in EJysian light, 
Crimson hyacinths, and roses. 

Mingle with the violet's bloom, 
Even the myrtle here, reposes 

AU forgetful of its gloom. 

And this incense-breathing garland. 

Heaving with her bosom's, swell. 
Wakens visions of that far land, 

Where perfected spirits dweU. 
In her left hand she is holding 

A fair tablet, ivory white. 
With her right hand still unfolding 

Pictures radiant as light. 

Now her snowy arm she stretches 
Up, toward the blue profound. 

Then, with trembling hand, she sketches 
All the gorgeous scene around. 



CLARE AND LILLIE. 7S 

See her, see her, as she Ungers 

Over each harmonious Hne, 
See her slender, sunlight fingers, 

So translucently divine ; 

Watch the changing of her features, 

Of her red hps' tuneful play, 
'T would exalt even earthly natures 

To oblivion of their clay ! 
Now the fringed lids are drooping 

Over eyes dark-luminous ; 
She is stooping, slowly stooping, 

Now, methinks, she looks on us ; 
Ah I she sees ! is recognizing 

For her face is heavenly fair. 
Hear the blended voices rising, 

Of your Lillian, and Clare ? 

Lo, the vision bright, advances ; 

Very near us are they now : 
And the rapture of their glances, 

Sheds a Hght on either brow. 
Joy a festival is holding 

On each brightening lip and cheek, 
And their white arms interfolding, 

Seem to beckon as they speak. 



80 SONG OF THE CHILDREN. 

Wait! a moment wait ! until I 

Catch the words of that sweet pair ; 

List ! " 0, know you not your Lillie ?" 
"Have you, then, forgotten Clare ?" 



SONG- OF THE CHILDREN. 

Ha, ha, ha ! la, la, la ! 

Ho, ho, ho, ho ! 
Lu, lu, lu I hu, hu, hu I 

Lu, lu, lu, lu I 

Repletest, with sweetest 

And holiest power, 
Caressings, and blessings, 

Upon you we shower. 
Merrily, cheerily, 

Play we our parts ; 
Loving, improving. 

And gladdening, your hearts. 

Ha, ha, ha ! la, la, la ! 

Keep to the chime ; 
Louder shout, as about 

Whirling in time. 



SONG Ol^THE CHILDREN. 81 

Violette, Mignonette, 

Star-Beam and Mist; 
Lily-Bud, Kosengood, 

Bright Amethyst I 

Ho, ho, ho ! so we go, 

See, as we fly. 
Beautiful, musical, 

Waters run by. 
Kivers deep, ever sweep, 

Tunefully sweet. 
Dashing thus, luminous 

Globes at our feet. 

Fairy-hke, airy-like, 

Melodies flow, 
Such, even, as in heaven 

The Grlorified know. 
The refrain breath again. 

Louder, more clear I 
Let it blend, as we bend 

Over you, here. 

Violette, Mignonette, 

Still swifter go ! 
Lily-bud, Rosengood, 

Thus let it flow. 



82 SONG OF THE CHILDREN. 

Ha, ha, ha ! la, la, la ! 

Star-Beam and Mist, 
Trip and sing, in our ring. 

Bright Amethyst. 

Pebble-stones have their tones, 

Each one its own, 
Gurgle-glad, murmur-sad. 

Laugh they, or moan ; 
Beauty-fraught is the thought 

Of the stream's daughters, 
And they laugh, as they quaff 

Of the bright waters ! 

Mountain-tops, fountain-drops, 

And the rocks rude. 
Have a speech, that would reach 

The deep solitude. 
And the breeze, in the trees. 

Tells ever a tale, 
As it drops from their tops, 

With a hum, to the vale. 

There's a power, in each flower^ 
To take from the heart 

Its festering, pestering, 
Poisonous smart; 



SONG OF THE CHILDREN. 83 

And to still any ill 

That to mortals may come, 
And, for this, would we kiss 

Every beautiful bloom. 

As we sing, see us bring, 

From our Elysian, 
Wreaths so bright, that they might 

Glad a saint's vision ; 
Amaranth, Hyacinth, 

Blooms never sere ; 
Lily-bells, Asphodels, 

Bright through the year j 

Eejoicing, in voicing 

Some hymn, that may tell, 
Of a plain where no pain, 

For a moment, can dwell j 
Where sorrow can harrow 

Remembrance no more, 
Despairing and caring. 

Forever are o'er I 

Where joy, no alloy 

Of its glory has shorn. 
And the rose may repose, 

tJnallied to its thorn ; 



84 RUTH, 

And we children, in wildering 
Dances, are whirled, — 

The living, hfe-giving, 

Sweet flowers of this world ! 

Mignonette ! Violette ! 

Star-Beam and Mist ! 
Rosengood! Lily-Bud! 

Bright Amethyst ! 
Ha, ha, ha ! la, la, la 1 

Trip it and sing, 
Ho, ho, ho ! lo, lo, lo I 

Whirl in our ring I 



RUTH. 

The veined Wind-Flower in the sombre wood, 
Thought breeding Pansies in the sunlight 

glowing. 
Or red-cloaked Lilies in the meadows grow- 

Best image thee, in every changing mood ; 

For as the tricksy shadows all the while, 
Keep dancing round us, in perpetual play, 
So, o'er thy soul, its ever-changing sway 

Fancy asserts. Yet like a sea-girt Isle 



TO -. 85 

Reason, deep-centred, sits, Majestic Queen ! 
Though, all about, the wavelets gayly flash, 
On her white feet, with a perpetual dash, 

She keeps her throne immutably serene, 
With an eternal sunshine on her brow, 
That sheds a rosy Ught on all the vales below 



TO- 



GrOD of Heaven ! what a throng 
Of the Beautiful, the Strong, 
And the glorious Sons of Song, 

Bursts upon my gaze I 
What a light is o'er me shed. 
As thy spirit-courts I tread, 
And its mazy windings thread • 

Still, the faintest haze 
Rests upon the radiance bright, 
So to temporize the hght, 
As to shield my dazzled sight 

Prom too brilliant rays. 

Now I tread an Ocean-shore 
Where Thought's billows, evermore, 
An exalted music pour, 

ThriUingly profound; 
8 



86 TO . 

With majestic strength replete, 
White-maned Waves their raarches beat, 
Thundering on with surf- shod feet, — 

Grlancing swiftly round, 
Till some Reason-rock they spy, 
When, with foam-crest mane tossed high, 
With a loud exultant cry, 

'Grainst it, wild, they bound ; 
Stunned to madness by the blow, 
Backward, as retreating foe. 
The reluctant coursers go, — 

Making heaven resound 
Their reverberating neigh. 
Shaking from their flanks the spray, 
Scattering, as they haste away, 

Clouds of gems around. 



Now it changes to my view, 
And the waters, then so blue, 
Glow with every rainbow hue. 

Tremulously bright I 
And they He as calm and still, 
With an all-pervading thrill. 
As if God their deeps did fill 

With excess of light ; 



TO . 87 

For in sudden, fitful gleams^ 

Lo, the radiancy streams, 

As the glow of heavenly dreams 

Gilds the blackest night. 
'Keath the ever-changing tide 
Shoals of silvery fishes gUde, 
Monarchs of the deep beside, 

Kingliest in might. 



Now beneath cerulean skies, 
Trees of stateliest strength arise, 
Fruit the rarest, ripest, lies 

Scattered everywhere : 
O'er the flower-bespangled ground 
Loveliest forms are gliding round, 
To a most bewitching sound, 

Sweet beyond compare. 
In the deepening, overhead, 
Go the stars with regal tread, 
By their royal Princess led, 

Where Night's monarchs are : 
Star to star is wildly calling, 
As with brilliancy appalling. 
From that awful height they're falling, 

Like a rain of fire ! 



88 TO . 

From these burning meshes, fraught 
"With intensest threads of thought, 
What a fabric might be wrought, 

Than all earth-wefts higher. 
Arbors of this boundless field 
Choicest fruits and flowers yield, 
'Neath its turf there lie concealed 

Gems, and rubies rare ; 
Brightest birds are o'er it winging. 
Sweetest carols gayly singing, 
To thy spirit ever bringing 

Sounds, which might inspire 
Symphonies that could awake 
Such deep echoes, they should make 
The astonished earth to shake. 

As a wind-swept lyre. 



With a hush-inspiring finger. 

Evermore I'd linger, linger 

Near one most impassioned singer, 

In this glorious band. 
Oh, I pray thee, Spirit ! pour 
That entrancing music o'er, 
Once again, and evermore ! 

Will the music grand, 



FADED FLOWERS. 89 

Waken visionings most high, 
All divinest harmony, 
All sublimest ecstasy. 

Under this control 
Let me clasp some angel-hand, 
Of the blessed, blessing band, 
In the radiant spirit-land, 

Yielding up my souL 



FADED FLOWERS. 

Faded flowers, I may not toss them 
Lightly from the vase away. 

Each divinely whispering blossom 
Eloquent in its decay, 

Still is swelling, with the welling 
Of its incense-burdened lay. 

Prophecies fresh from the Angels, 

In your petals have I read, 
Love's devout, inspired Evangels, 

"With your odorous wings outspread, 
In your whiteness and your brightness, 

Stand ye thus in Love's sweet stead, 
8* 



90 A LIFE SYMBOL. 

From the cluster, one pale trembler 
To my bosom would I take, 

But I fear the shy dissembler, 
For the gracious Giver's sake ; 

With the ringing of its singing, 

Silenced hopes and joys might wake. 



A LIFE SYMBOL. 

Like some mighty river flowing 

Onward to the ocean blue, 
In the sunshine brightly glowing. 

Gleams thy spirit on my view. 
Backward, I its course can follow 

To the fountain whence it sprung. 
In a quiet woodland hoUow, 

Where the Fays and Dryads sung. 

Oh, how tranquil and how quiet 

Was this sheltered httle nook ! 
Seemed forever lingering by it, 

Joys, that brightest coloring took. 
Wide its wealth of waters spreading 

To the sun's benignant smile, 
Would it hnger, softly shedding 

Light for lent light, back the while. 



A LIFE SYMBOL. 91 

Darksome bank, and rock-ledge curbed it, 

Even in its earliest flow, 
And rude rapids oft disturbed it. 

Through its depths and windings low. 
Still forever faster, brighter, 

Sped it on its deep'ning way ; 
Even the murky dark grew Ughter 

With clear promises of day. 

Eose at length a towering mountain 

Full before the gentle stream ; 
Backward, to its primal fountain, 

Turned it, with a saddened gleam. 
Then the darkness, and the sadness, 

Chilled its young activities, 
Tempered all its gushing gladness, 

With pale sorrow's ebbing lees. 

Still it might not linger, listless. 

Even in its native glen ; 
Flowing, but no more resistless. 

Stole it on, and on again ; 
But in spite of green hopes, bhghted. 

And a young heart's cherished schemes, 
Floating darkly, save when guided 

By the lurid Hghtning's gleams. 



92 A LIFE SYMBOL. 

Yet to those who well can render 

The dim riddle of thy life, 
Lurks the strength of manhood, under 

Stagnant calm, and stormy strife. 
Starry thoughts out-twinkle keenly 

On the sky-arch of thy night, 
And the moon, with lustre queenly 

Walks in feehng's softer light. 

But the chilly night is ending ; 

Swiftly comes the ruddy morn ; 
Swifter is thy life-stream, tending 

To its destined ocean-bourn. 
On the hills, already, twitter 

Heralds of approaching day, 
And the curls of morning glitter, 

Where the curtaining dark gives way. 

Then, oh then, be strong and fearless I 

Mid thy fellows walk more bold ; 
For, before thy spirit peerless, 

Open glories manifold. 
In the path of noblest duty 

Walk thou, with a manly tread 
And the true hfe's holiest beauty 

Shall a glory on thee shed. 



THE rosarib;' 93 

Lesser souls shall catch the assurance 

Then, that crowns thy life with bliss, 
It will strengthen their endurance, 

CUmbing crag, and precipice, 
In endeavor stern, and trying. 

In the conflict with their wrongs, 
Till from lips, all faint with sighing. 

Shall ascend triumphant songs ! 

Angel arms unseen mfold thee, 

And the highest, supreme Heart, 
As a child beloved shall hold thee 

Pledged to every noble part. 
So I read the divination 

Of thy life stream's changing flow, 
To the glorious consummation 

That the just alone may know. 



THE ROSARIB. 



Hark ; it was their angel voices 
Which awoke that blissful strain; 

My rapt spirit still rejoices 
At the jubilant refrain. 



94 HOPE AND FAITH. 

As from rosarie a maiden 

Golden beads drops one by one, 

So their linked songs of Aidenn, 
Waken echoes, tone on tone. 

As across the laughing meadows, 
Or where gurgling brooklets glide, 

Sweep at noon, Sun-driven shadows, 
Steal thes« echoes, side by side. 



HOPE AND FAITH. 

Dearest, though the angels told me 
Of the strength within thy heart, 

StiU, as closely I infold thee. 
Comes to mine a bitter smart. 

I would soothe those throbbing temples, 
Cool the fever of thy brow ; 

Ah, the sunlight faintly trembles 
Through thy saddened spirit, now ! 

Like a stately city, standing 

By old Ocean's open door, 
AU its ceaseless strength commanding. 

All its treasures, evermore. 



HOPE AND FAITH. 95 

So thy spirit's calm reposing, 

Seemeth, to my spirit eyes, 
As some crystal sea, inclosing 

All the sweets of Paradise ; 

Centred by a gleaming city, 

With its clustering domes and spires ; 
And my spirit swells with pity 

At the sacrificial fires. 

Burning on its temple altars. 
Gleaming on its golden shrine, 

But the great sun never falters 
In its path of hyaline. 

Be thou faithful, in thy bosom 

It shall l^indle purer fires. 
Making, in its depths, to blossom 

Higher, holier desires. 

Bird-like melodies, the sweetest, 

In its dewy-dawn will start, 
Pouring victory's completest 

Anthem, from thy inmost heart 

God himself gives inspiration 

To these choiring thoughts of thine j 

Guard, then, every emanation 
From this origin divine. 



96 THE PROMISE. 

Why thus saddened, beyond measure, 
In these clouds about thy way ; 

Oh, look up ! and learn to treasure 
Stars that turn e'en night to day. 

Wheresoe'er thou goest pouring 
Golden Hope, and beamy faith, 

Till thy heart and soul are soaring, 
Victors over fate and death. 



THE PKOMISE. 

I WOULD my yearning heart could* find a tone 
Echoing responsive language to thine own. 
Though in its far recesses I discern 
The fires of love and gratitude that burn 
On Friendship's altar, and behold, in thine. 
The same sweet flame burn, lambent and divine, 
Still, when expression's nobler flight I seek, 
I find my tongue reluctant, slow, and weak ; 
My humble lyre no lofty song will bring. 
But tones of sweetness vibrate on each string. 
Restless ambition ever toils to bind 
Her glittering chains upon the active mind, 



AVE MARIA. 97 

But thoti, exalted to some noble aim, 

A brighter crown, a purer i?rreath may claim ; 

Fronting so bravely all the ills of life, 

And walking fearless through its wrongs and 

strife. 
If thus, forever, thou canst hold in view, 
The starry heights of a pure life, and true. 
Thy future pathway shall be bright with bhss. 
That far outweighs the martyrdoms of this ,• 
No clouds shall darken, with malignant frown, 
But fadeless laurels thy white temples crown ; 
Seraphs of beauty golden censers swing, 
Love's holiest incense over thee to fling, 
And, borne aloft on music's waves, shall soar. 
Thy victor-soul, right on, for evermore ! 



AYE MARIA 



Oh thou, my spirit friend, 
Sweet mother ! as I bend 

Heart and knee, 
Teach what my tongue shall say, 
That I aright may pray 

Unto thee. 
9 



AVE MARIA. 

I would become more pure, 
More willing to endure 

What may be^ 
Well knowing at my side 
Whatever may betide — 

Guarding me, 

Thy angel walks in light, 
As walked thy Son by night 

On the sea ! 
And though my life-boat frail, 
Rude tempest may assail, 

WrathfuUy, 

And waves tumultuous rise. 
Threatening the pallid skies, 

In mad glee ! 
While fearful hghtnings hiss 
Down wave and orecipice, 

Scornfully ! 

Yet will I feel no fear; 
Oh, holy mother dear, 

Maid-mother free I 
Thy sweet, assuring smile, 
Rests over me, the while, 

Earnestly. 



WHAT THE ANGELS SAT. 99 

Sweet mother, mine, I pray, 
Take not that light away ; 

May it be 
Within my inmost soul, 
And all my thoughts control, 

Perfectly. 

So holy is its power, 
My soul can but adore 

Thine, and Thee I 
The wisdom, love, and grace, 
Which, from thy heavenly face, 

Beam on me ! 



WHAT THE ANGELS SAY. 

Shall I tell thee what the angels say, 
When in symbols they speak to me ? 

When they hover so lovingly over my way. 
And whisper strange stories of thee. 

They bear me away to their heavenly bowers, 
In the freshness and fragrance of morn ; 

Thy spirit florescent, floats over the flowers 
That there, in bright beauty, are born. 



100 HUMAN LOVE. 

In the indolent calm of a summer noon, 

In a reverie, fancy free, 
Through Nepenthean odors, soft as June, 

They are wafting a vision of thee. 

At twilight they take me on cloud-winged 
steeds, 

"Where ripple the musical streams ; 
The amber-hued perfumes awoke in the meads 

Are the echoes of love-lighted dreams. 

When the somnolent dews of the midnight 
weep, 

Weird protean fancies they twine, 
A garland of Lotus-buds, sacred to sleep : 

To sleep and to dreams that are thine ! 



HUMAN LOYE. 



Father in Heaven I permit me, as I may, 
To bring an oflfering, simple though it be, 

Upon the shrine of human love to lay. 
Whereby my soul exalts itself to Thee. 



FLOWER FAYS. 101 

Now bending low, I ask, imploringly, 

That I this silent power may never lose ; 
Then confident in faith, adoringly 

I gladden in the strength of its repose, — 
The power that makes us more akin to Thee, 

The highest, sweetest power to spirits born, 
To love, love only, even should there be 

For us, but wrong, injustice, hate and scorn, 
Father, I pray Thee, may we ever prove 
This Omnipresence of Omniscient Love. 



FLOWER FAYS. 



I WILL tell you of a vision, 

A vision of sweet power, 
Which came from the ElysJan, 

And was brought me by a flower. 

For an hour, a whole hour, 

Above it I would bend ; 
Would you think a httle flower 

Could have won your simple friend, 

O'er its beauty frail, to ponder, 

With an earnest child-like wonder. 

And its leaflets fair to sunder. 

One by one ? 
9* 



102 FLOWER FAYS. 

Call it not a cruel part ; 
For, within its tender heart, 
I had found a polished dart, 

Thither thrown 

By some merry-hearted boy, 
In the recklessness of joy, 
Never thinking 't would destroy 

Its young bloom. 

Oh, the rose did redly pout, 
As I pulled the arrow out : 
And it scattered all about 

Its perfume, 

Till the fragrance made me faint ; 
When with gesture, 0, so quaint! 
Breathed it out a low complaint^ 
In a song. 

Sooth, I cannot give the air, 
For it was, beyond compare. 
Very wonderful and rare ; 

And a throng 

Came, of mischief-loving sprites, 
Who in damp mid-summer nights, 
Toss the ever-flashing lights, 

In the vale, — 



FLOWER FAYS. , 103 

Whife tihe lonely whippowil, 
From his bower beneath the hill, 
All the Hstening air doth fill 

With his wail, — 

They with mirth-provoking glances, 
Wheeled round me in their dances 
Their brxjws wreathed with bright pansiea^ 
W€t wiith dew. 

Held each hand a cup of gold, 
Wreathed in shapes of fe,irest mould ; 
And the quaintest tales they told, 
Whi^eh, if true, 

I am sure I would not tell; 
And if fake, it were as well 
That a silence o'er them fell. 
Tenderly. 

So these FU not recall, 
Tho' the drapery of them ali 
Flutters, as a glittering pal!, 
Over me. 

But the moral of them is, 
That thy life's distilled bliss, 
Never might atone for this 

Wanton waste 



104 FLOWER FAYS. 

Of the cherished sweets, that clung 
Where my scented petals hung, 
And to heaven their sweetness flung, 
Baby-chaste. 

gather gather one 

Of the leaves so careless thrown ; 

Let its sad, forgiving tone 

Plead its wrong; 

For each leaflet, spreading fair, 
Was the utterance of a prayer, 
Which the flower gave the air^ 
In a song. 

*Gan the merry sprites to drink 
From the tiny goblet's brink ; 
At which one, with roguish wink, 
Drew more near ; 

And a saucy elf he was. 

For he touched my shoulder, as 

His thin treble, shrill as glass. 

Pierced my ear. 

" To illume earth's darkened hours, 
God," he said, " sends human floweri^ 
Human hearts from evil powers 
To beguile. 



FLOWER FAYS. 105 

" And the aroma of sweet feeling 
From them, mistily is stealing, 
And the li^t of their revealing 
Is a smile. 

But too oft they feign a part, 
Feigning, till the fearful smart^ 
Of some unsuspected dart, 

Makes them feel 

Something of the debt they owe 
To the Heavens that bestow 
Beauty's coniscating glow, 

Good and ill" 

Then he laughed out merrily, 
As he held his cup to me ; 
" This is nectar, drink !" said he. 
With a shout 

Then I heard their goblets clink, 
Saw their little elf-eyes blink ; 
And they laughed, till one would think 
Such a rout 

All their bloomy spliere must shake, 
And its deepest caverns make 
Merry mocking echoes take, 
JFora time: 



106 THE OAK. 

While the pool of lilies, thrilled 
Through and through, its ripples stilled, 
And the depths of air were filled 
With the chime. 



THE OAK. 



Tiny little Acorn ! underneath the ground, 
Working out a problem, solemnly profound ! 

Shoot of simplest beauty, frail as thou art fair, 
Meekly giving utterance to the acorn's prayer ; 

Lightly springing Sapling, promising so much. 
Ever swaying, gracefully, to the zephyr's touch ; 

Tree of fair proportions, slender, lithe, and 

strong, 
Griving back the chorus of the wild wind's song ; 

Pride of all the forest, tree acknowledged king, 
When ihe storms are loudest, when the tem- 
pests bring, 

From the dreary northland, all their fearful force, 
And thy fellows tremble from their furious 
course : 



THE FAGLE HEART. 107 

Bald to rebel winter, garlanded in spring, 
Oak ! in all thy changes, nurtured to be king; 

Eegally majestic, thou dost wear thy crown, 
Laughing loud, and scornfully, at the Storm- 
god's frown. 



THE EAGLE HEART. 

As beneath the crystal waters, 
Diamonds glitter, very clear, 

So thy mental sons, and daughters, 
Through their element appear, 

In thy soul's serenest chambers. 

Reason's children make their home, 
And Thought's sunlight, as it clambers 

To its blue, meridian dome, 
Gilds, with loveUness transcendent, 

All thy high imaginings ; 
And the angel, thy attendant. 

Shakes ambrosia from her wings. 

Thy soul's temple I have entered, 

And I linger at the shrine. 
Where, in oriel-Hght, are centred 

The deep springs of the Divine. 



108 THE EAGLE HEART. 

Here are contrasts so united 

In all holiest marriages, 
Strength to G-entleness is plighted, 

Pride to sweet HnmiUties. 

O'er the sky came sudden changes,— 

Turns of Pate's Kaleidoscope • 
To my spirit, as it ranges 

Over thine, there seems to ope 
Scenes of glory, so entrancing, 

That I tremble as I view, 
Lingering now, and now advancing, 

Through each thought-paved avenue. 

As a dove might, young and tender, 

Find security, and rest, 
For its pinions thin, and slender. 

In the fearless Eagle's nest, — 

As beneath an oak wide-spreading, 

Nestles the sweet Eglantine, 
As a rivulet, slow threading 

Its dark way, where rocks incline, 
Suddenly in Hght emerges, 

Growing deeper and more clear, 
Till it mingles with the surges 

Tumbling on the windy mere ; 



THERE REMAINETH A REST. 109 

So all timid spirits, wrestling 
With the fearful storms of life, 

To thy eagle soul fly, nestling 
From the tumult, and the strife ; 

So thy thought from doubt emerges, 
G-rowing deeper, and more clear, 

Till it mingles with the surges 
Of the Everlasting mere ! 



THERE REMAINETH A REST TO THE PEO- 
PLE OF GOD. 

HEBREWS, IV. 9. 

Sweet promise ! the bruised and the sad ones 
of earth, 
Who are sorrowing under affliction's hard rod, 
This thought — oh, their bosoms may best know 
its worth ; 
"There remaineth a rest to the people of 
God I" 

10 



110 THERE REMAINETH A REST. 

Then cheer up, ye mourners, your tears wipe 
away, - 
And lift your sad eyes from the mouldering sod, 
Though the fruitage of joy, upon earth, may 
decay, 
"There remaineth a rest to the people of 
God!" 

Tired pilgrim! oppressed and o'erladen with 
care. 
Who art toihng in sorrow o'er life's weary 
road, 
Take courage, press on, never yield to despair ; 
" There remaineth a rest to the people of God !" 

And you, who in sorrow and suffering pine, 
On couches of sickness ; though anguish cor- 
rode. 
Let joy with your sorrow supremely combine, 
"There remaineth a rest to the people of 
God!" 

Thou servant of Christ! who hast faithfully 
borne 
The yoke of thy Master, ihj weary life-load. 
Remember, though now a sad victim of scorn, 
"There remaineth a rest to the people of 
God!" 



MINISTRATIONS. Ill 

Oh exquisite rest I most holy, secure, 
To mingle for aye, in that happy abode, 

With those we have loved, with the good, and 
the pure. 
This rest, holy rest, "for the people of Grod 1" 



MINISTRATIO]S'S. 



There are forms of beauty, bending. 
Ever bending o'er your way ; 
And they scatter blessings round you, 
As the night distils its dew ; 
And their presence lights your spirits, 
As the sunshine lights the day ; 
And no cloud of sorrow rises, 
But their soft eyes twinkle through ! 

There are angels bright, who hnger, 
Ever hnger by your side : 
Ever watching, ever waiting, — 
Only watching for your good ; 
Their snow-white arms protecting 
You, if evil should betide, 
Nourishing your hungry spirits, 
With their own ambrosial food. 



112 MINISTRATIONS. 

In the noon-day there are voices, 
Yoices in the noon of night, 
Which are whispering, of heaven, 
Words of glory and of joy ; 
Oh, then Usten, closely hsten ! 

They will thrill you with dehght, — 
Stories of their blissfulness. 
Of a bliss without alloy. 

There are touches which are thrilling, 
Thrilling with a power intense, 
Through the inmost depths of feehng 
Till ye know the hand that blesses, 
As a holy consecration 
Baptizeth every sense. 
In the sweet, and sacred influence 
Of their heavenly caresses. 

There are most ecstatic visions. 

Visions that hke starbeams come; 

While the tones of the departed 

Waken holiest memories, — 

Till there comes a childlike yearning 

For your spirit's cherished home, 

In the Father's blessed presence, 

In the bowers of Paradise. 



REVERIE. 113 

There are heavenly revelations, 
Kevelations pure, and high, 
That will flash athwart the spirit. 
Like the lightning's fierce control ; 
Giving glimpses of the glory 
Flashing on the inward eye, 
Till a hallowed sense of blessing 
Lifts the transfio:ured soul I 



REVERIE. 



One summer evening, calm and still, 
I sat upon a mossy hill, 
And listened to the whippowil. 
Sad bird of night; 

When came a voice, so soft and clear, 
It fell upon my raptured ear. 
Like music from another sphere, 
In dreaming heard. 

It was a sound for earth too rare, 
A sad-like, yet a joyous air; 
I can, to nothing fit, compare 
That minor sound. 
10* 



114 love's immortality. 

Its vocal source I never knew ; 
It came upon me as the dew 
ComeS; and we ken not shape or hue, 
At shut of night. 

But oh, it had a power to still 
The ragings of the wayward will^ 
And deep, with holy thoughts to fill 
The tranced mind. 

I know that, from their holy home, 
Exalted spirits oft will roam, 
And to the haunts of mortals come, 
With power to bless; 

But never, till that rapturous even, 
Such grace was to my spirit given, 
To feel, to taste, so much of heaven, 
So much of God. 



LOYE'S IMMORTAUTT. 

Know, my loved ones, I am Ida : 
Ida who in Eden lives ; 

All the eve I've stood beside her 
Who my message softly gives. 



LOVES IMMORTALITY. 115 

I have lingered in your presence, 

Many a time, before to-night, 
Shedding o'er your souls a pleasance, 

In a soft, inspiring light. 

As the moonbeams, through the lattice, 

Will uncertain shadows cast ; 
As a sunlit vapor, that is 

Like a memory of the past; 

As the drowsy vail of twiHght, 

Shimmering in an eve of June ; 

^s a waking love-dream's eye Hght; 

Vs the hidden wild bee's tune ; 

So, through earth-life's sensate curtain, 
Though your misty vision bent. 

Gleams my presence, pale, uncertain, 
Distant-seeming, bright but faint. 

Yet, my arms around you flinging, 

Long above you have I hung, 
With a fond and tender clinging 

Round you, as in life they clung. 

As in life ? ah ! I am giving 
Unto words an earth-hke hue ; 

Never had I known of hving 

Till I passed death's portals through ; 



116 love's immortality. 

Never known the god-like story 

Of the everlasting soul; 
The immeasurable glory, 

That its destinies unroll. 

0, my friends ! I scarce know whether 
Most I love, or most adore. 

This all-loving, holy Father, 

Who hath blessed me evermore. 

And I quiver, as I name him, 
With an ever quick surprise ; 

To my lips come high, acclaiming 
Plaudits, thrilhng to the skies. 

And there come the clearest singing, 
Intertwining notes, that swell 

All around me, and the ringing 
Pulses of a silver bell. 

And a hymning low, and tender, 
Overflows and floods my soul ; 

Every thought it seems to render 
Strong, though sweet, in its control. 

I have lingered unbelieving. 
In the broad, convincing hght ; 

For it seemed like a deceiving 
Dream of beauty, fleet as bright^ 



love's immortality. 117 

That one spirit, thus, should enter 

To another's mortal home, 
While that soul from its deep centre 

Over trackless fields might roam. 

Yes, my friends, while I am speaking 
Through these tranced lips to you. 

Her unfettered soul is seeking 
Fields the senses never knew. 

This unvails the sweetest mystery 

Life has lent me, even here, 
This turns prophecy to history, 

Of earth's marriage with our sphere, — 

Your old earth becomes less earthly,^ - 

Marriage holy and divine. 
Of whose ritual high and worthy. 

Here behold the living sign ; 

Coming, as the soft caressings 

Of a mother's love below. 
Coming, with the highest blessings 

Which the good in glory know. 

Ask ye why, amid the pleasures 
Which are my attendants here, 

I should seek to tread the measures 
That are trod upon that sphere ? 



118 TKE JOT OF ACTION, 

Know the soul that loves, believing, 

Never loses aught it loves ; 
But, for evermore receiving, 

Ever takes, where'er it roves. 
The distilled sweets of loving, 

The rehned soul of sense : 
And the heart grows richer, proving 

Love's repletest competence. 

Therefore, purified, I carry 

All m J earth-bom tendernesses, 

Thus I still delight to tarry 

'Mid love's flowery wildemesses, 

And in heaven rejoice to marry 
Loving hps. in pure caresses. 



THE JOT OF ACTION. 

Thus beside thee as I linger 

Angel arms our forms entwine ; 
Each inspired, lovely singer, 

Chants a hymn of the Divine. 
Most familiar is their greeting. 

Tenderly they press my hand, 
All the while the slow time beating, 

With a shiningr silver wand. 



THE JOY OF ACTION. 119 

Seems it as if I were dreaming, 

On a bed of poppies white, 
Their low singing, and the gleaming 

Of the lithe wand, and the light. 
Now a most enchanting essence 

Stupifies my every sense, 
And I feel its witching presence 

Stealing through this sweet suspense. 

But they go ! they are ascending , 

Oh, sweet souls I half adore, 
Bless ye, for the many blending 

Benisons ye on me pour. 
They have left us to each other, 

Wilt thou suffer me to come ? 
I the flowers of thought will gather 

Blooming in thy spirit home. 

What a strange, foreboding quiet, 

Seems to rest on all around. 
Here's a lakelet, and anigh it 

Bright translucent shells aboimd, 
Here are birds that are not singing, 

Fishes, but they do not play. 
Nothing with swift gladness springing : 

Is it night, or is it day ? 



120 THE JOY OF ACTION. 

That thy soundless mental ocean, 
Like a sheet of silver spread, 

Lies as listless, without motion, 
As if all its waves were dead. 

Would'st thou rouse thy dormant powers 

To some action, true and high, 
Startling, from these listless hours. 

All their blank vacuity, — 
Sought'st thou, with a pure intention, 

Some good purpose to fulfil, — 
Drawn to their extremest tension, 

All thy nerves with joy would thrill. 
Work ! there comes no angel bringing 

Deeper peacefulness than he, 
Joy and health leap upward, singing 

In his regal company. 

Thou art gentle, kind, and loving, 

And thy spirit is serene 
As the gauzy, white clouds, moving 

'Twixt the azure and the green. 
Need it were baptized in trial ; 

Action should illume the shrine, 
And the fires of self-denial 

Consecrate it, and refine. 



life's mystery. 121 

What a heaven-descended dower 

Those deep sympathies of thine ! 
Thou should' st guard them, as a power, 

And a fellowship, divine. 
That will lift thy soul to Heaven, 

Or bring that Heaven down to thee, 
When to thy spirit shall be given 

Glimpses of Divinity. 



LIFE'S MYSTERY. 

Life in its various changes, 

Life in its phases rude. 
Life in its highest ranges. 

Was never understood ! 

Life, when most staid and quiet. 

Life, when most crowned with good, 

Life, howsoe'er we try it. 
Was never understood ! 

Life ! over it, forever, 

Will doubt, and darkness brood, 
Ind baffle man's endeavor. 

To make it understood. 
11 



122 life's mystery. 

Life ! 0, the Life of living, 

Its highest altitude, 
Must ever be in giving. 

Were it rightly understood. 

The soul's appointed mission, 

For which alone we live, 
In high, or low condition, 

Is evermore to give. 

In answer to our giving 

We evermore receive ; 
And, gratefully receiving, 

We fruitfully believe. 

Belief is but ascension 

Unto the high and good ; 
And doubt, a sad detention 

By things ill understood. 

Then grant us patience. Father I 
Whom many ills enthrall, — 

For in ourselves we gather 
The sufferings of all. 

But still as we are nearing 

Those clear, calm heights, and true, 
Sweet voices are we hearing, 

And love-lights meet our view. 



LITTLE MOSS ROSE. • 123 



Oh, Life of our creation ! 

It were a heaven to us, 
Could we keep the high relation 

Distinct, harmonious. 

Between the flesh and spirit, 
And of the soul to thee, 

That the mansions we inherit 
As thy holy courts may be. 



LITTLE MOSS ROSE. 

A LOVELY rose-bud in the sunshine glowing, 
Simple and modest, and as sweetly wild, 
As though young Zephyr nursed it as her child, 
Art thou wee Pet ; so innocently growing 
Upon the parent stem, while sun and dew 
Still foster thee, with care the tenderest. 
And spirits hover over the green nest 
"Which shelters thee. Ah, budling fair and new, 
Be thou not tempted from this safe retreat, 
By the gay sunshine of the world alluring, 
Where prouder beauties glance with more 
assuring 
Effluence and color, but how far less sweet 
Than thou bright blossom, then hnger here 
God and his angels are so very near. 



124 THY MOTHER. 



THY MOTHER. 

A BRIGHT Figure, beaming 

In the rose-light of dreaming, 
Seems folding us close in embraces of love ; 

Ah, see I 'tis none other 

Than thy beautiful mother, 
Bending lovingly down from the silence above. 



Oh, say, canst thou hear her ? 

Come nearer ! come nearer ! 
Her tones are so mellow, low, soothing, and 
sweet ; 

Each sense I surrender • 

To an influence tender, 
And sink in a rapture of bUss at her feet. 



The tenderest blessings. 

The sweetest caressings. 
That ever a mother on daughter did shower, 

All pure consecrations. 

All high aspirations, 
She lavishes on thee, unchanged with the hour. 



THY MOTHER. 



125 



Her love-light will strengthen 

When dun shadows lengthen, 
And Hfe's stilly evening succeeds to its noon, 

When day, with its hid light. 

Sinks starless to midnight, 
Her love will be o'er thee for planet and moon. 

Her exquisite spirit 

Must surely inherit 
A home of rich beauty and lovehness rare, 

For, dimly beholding 

Her glorious unfolding, 
I see a clear flush in the scintillant air. 

And a sense of contrition, 

And lowlier submission 
Grows strong in my soul with my strengthening 
faith. 

Oh is it but seeming. 

Illusion and dreaming? 
Or have I gone up through the portals of death ? 

With rapturous singing 

The angels are winging 
In circles resplendent, or poised in the air j 

Oh, Infinite Father ! 

From thee I would gather 
New strength, by new virtue, their glory to bear. 
11* 



126 YET ONCE AGAIN. 



PAULINE. 



White browed Anemones, daughters of the sun, 
And blue-eyed violets, with the mignonette, 
And pale pink roses with the valley's pet, 
The myrtle, iris, hly, every one 
Becomes a sweet Interpreter of thee ; 
And as I hst the voices of thy soul, 
So soft and gentle, yet in their control 
Strong and subduing, clearly do I see 
The latent strength that slumbers in thy spirit, 
Where lofty faith and aspirations high, 
And holy loves keep closest company, 
Building the heaven predestined souls inherit. 
Oh, the sweet influence of thy soul on mine 
Is as an effluence of the most Divine ! 



YET ONCE AGAIN. 

Yet once again, most joyfully, I come 
Within the circle of thy soul's high home. 
Again I bend, my spirit brow to lave 
In healing waters from the crystal wave 
Of thy deep ocean of exalted thought, 
With power-inspiring power as richly fraught. 



YET ONCE AGAIN. 127 

As the famed pool BetKesda could have been, 
Save when the influence of the Nazarene 
Rested upon it. Still dwells with thee such 
Blessed divinity of angel touch, 
As, in its worth, might almost rival, even 
That which adorned the glorious Son of Hea- 
ven, — 
For as Heaven's Son we ever recognise 
The lowly Jesus, — though our spirit eyes 
See other sons of Heaven, less good, less pure, 
Less perfect, yet as willing to endure 
The martyrdom of suffering and of shame, 
That comes to all who dare assume a name 
Which the false years presumptuously con- 
demn, — 
The mocking years, bow not, my soul, to them 
Bigots and tyrants, fell and treacherous. 
Forever cry "Ye shall not rule o'er us!" 
To the pure spirits, who, with holiest love, 
Their wicked, sensual, selfish deeds reprove. 
Redeemers, Saviors, we ne'er recognise. 
Until the mission of their high emprise 
Hath been perfected, then, the bhnd may see, 
Clustering about them, their Divinity. 

My spirit-brother ! Shall I call thee such ? 
Emboldened by the sweet, inspiring touch 



128 YET ONCE AGAIN. 

Of thy soul's finger, seeming to impart 
Sublimest teachings to my kindhng heart, 
ThrOling my lips as with celestial fire, 
Waking my soul to aspirations, higher 
And holier, than any I have caught 
From lips, unless by inspiration fraught. 
Thy earthly raiment now is rent away, 
I see thee all divested of thy clay, 
And read thy spirit, as I read a book ; 
Through aU its inmost mysteries I look. 
As sparkling bubbles on a limpid stream. 
In the soft moonlight beautifully gleam, 
Or as the wavelets on the ocean's blue, 
With silvery gleamings, fascinate the view, 
As sportive sylphs, by their bewitching dance 
O'er the bright waters, every eye entrance, 
Along its course thy life-stream ever glides, 
Watering the simplest herbage by its sides, 
Foam-wreaths of Fancy, o'er its surface fly. 
Feeling's fair Hhes in the sunbeams lie. 
Meandering now through blooming meadows 

fair. 
Where spring the flowers of science, rich and 

rare. 
Through forest thick, where Wisdom's stately 

trees. 
Lift their high branches to the swelling breeze ; 



YET ONCE AGAIN. 129 

Anon through valleys shady, quiet, low, 
Mid thirsty plants and hungry roots to flow ; 
Then on a fruitful, far-extending plain. 
It spreads its bosom to the sun and rain, 
That it may give the healing draught again 
To thirsty mortals, who, devoid of sight, 
Walk bhndfold, ever groping for the light. 

What a strange study is thy soul to me ; 
Simple and clear, yet full of mystery, 
A subtle link unites it to the earth, 
A tie half human, half divine in birth ; 
Yet is the bond so subtle and so sUght, 
They stand apart, dissevered in my sight. 
If, on thy actual hand, or heart, or brow, 
I place my actual hand, as I do now, 
An answering throb, in unison most clear, 
Gives an assurance thou art of this sphere; 
But if my spirit hand I clasp with thine, 
The inspiration makes us both divine. 
And in a circle, sweeping far above 
Earth's narrow limits, hand in hand we rove, 
Through most transcendent, glorious abodes, 
Into the presence of the God of gods! 
And feel our spirits sweetly harmonize. 
In all perfections growing great, and wise. 



130 THE HEALING GIFT. 



HERO-SOUL. 

Oh hero-soul, Life's temple dost thou build, 

Arches and columns, towers and glowing 
spires ; 
With incense of good deeds its halls are filled, 

And love to Grod kindles its altar-fires. 
Ah me I I know full well, to souls like thine. 

With every dawn there evermore doth come 
Some sacrifice to lay on Duty's shrine, 

Some sterner conflict, deeper martyrdom; 
And Pity's tears are falling, as I think 

Of all the sorrows gathering on thy way ; 
Prom what a cup of anguish must thou drink. 

What dizzy heights, what dismal depths survey. 
From out so black and storm-conflicting night, 
There must be born a day of radiance bright. 



THE HEALING- GIFT. 

Angels of mercy, from Love's inmost shrine, 
Did at thy birth a fadeless laurel twine, 
Around thy spirit's pure transparent brow, 
Lending all sweet perennial flowers that blow, 



THE HEALING GIFT. 13 J 

For thy green cliaplet, full of odors sweet, 
And with all healing' potencies replete. 

Yes ! it is true, thou did'st the power receive 
Largely, all pain and anguish to relieve, 
Controlling all the demons of disease, 
While prescient sufferers eagerly would seize 
Thy healing hand, upon their hearts to press. 
Taking new vigor from its soft caress. 

Behold, sweet sister ! see anear thee stand 
A shining angel with a silvery wand ; 
Slowly he waves it over earth and sea. 
Then gently lays the crystal point on thee, 
"With touch resistless in its strong control, 
Kerving the feeblest purpose of thy soul. 

StiU more impressive grows the heavenly scene 
By the bright presence of the ISTazarene, 
In whom supreme the healing gift was found ; 
His glorious brow with martyrdom is crowned, 
And, kindly bending from the calm above. 
He folds thee closely in his arms of love I 

Prize of thy generous heart and lofty deed, 
Thine is the sacred gift, the exalted meed, 
Some soothing cordial on each wound to pour, 
Some healing balm, for every suffering hour 



132 PROPHET BARD. 

That earth's afflicted sons are doomed to know, 
In their wide wanderings through this vale of 
woe. 

Sad hearts are gladdened by thy cheering tones, 
As the lone widow, by Maria's son's ; 
Fulfil thy mission, wearying though it be, 
Jesus himself shall walk the path with thee ; 
Angels of love on all thy steps attend, 
And pitying souls their sweetest succor lend. 

Guard, as the fortress of thy sacred wealth, 
The priceless remnant of that shattered health ; 
Keep aU thy st-eps with vigilance and care. 
In even hands the healing cup to bear. 
That so pure clay to purer soul allied, 
By its own glory is most glorified. 



PROPHET BARD. 



Poet and Brother, loved and honored, more 
Than thy heart counts amid its treasured gains, 

Stint not, oh Prophet Bard, thy soul to pour 
Even on barren fields, like Autumn rains : 

Thou might'st have built a throne where, long 
before, 
Fame would have sat, amid the echoing strains 



FORESH ADO WINGS. 133 

Of thy own harp ; had'st thou, more world-wise 
sung 

Some mouthing Patriot's eulogistic rhyme, 
Some high-born dame's or maiden's praises rung, 

As a lithe trifler trolled an idle chime. 
Or, with less zeal of earnest passion, felt 
Thy gift's high sanctity, at random thrown 
Truths taught by Kature, where thy spirit knelt. 

But even yet, proud Fame shall claim thee as 
her own ! 



FORESHADOWING-S. 

Though I know thou art not seeking 
For the things I now rehearse, 

Yet am I impelled to speaking, 
And the utterance comes in verse. 

Thou art formed for highest uses. 

Though, upon thy mental skies, 
Hang the clouds of dark abuses. 

Clouding o'er the bright sunrise 
Of that Faith, which should enlighten 

All the future, to thy tread, 
While the stars of Hope that brighten, 

Melt in glory over head I 
12 



134 FORESHADOWINGS. 

For I feel this strong assurance, 

That within thy noble heart 
Burn the fires of true endurance, 

That to others might impart 
Strength to conquer the conspiring 

Enemies of Truth and Right ; 
Courage, faith, and love refiring 

At thy own heart's altar-light. 

Tenderly the dawn reposes 

On thy spirit beauty-crowned. 
And the breath of full-blown roses 

Sheds their fragrances around. 
Reason stands like oaks majestic. 

Stalwart, leafy sentinels 
Casting shadows, most fantastic, 

Over aU the flowery dells. 

Now their leaves, in blithe carousing, 
Dance, and drink the dew-drops rare 

And, anon, hang, faintly drowsing. 
In the incense-freighted air. 

Noble cities, grand and stately. 
With full many a teeming mart, 

Mountains towering up sedately — 
Nature's wonder-works of art ; 



FORESHADO WINGS. 135 

Every thing in earth, air, ocean, 

I have seen reflected here, 
In minute, but just proportion, 

Forming an harmonious sphere, 
Where thy sun, with perfect glory, 

O'er a cloudless noon shall shine, 
And fleet angels bear the story 

Of the morning's birth divine. 



Oh, I hear their gladsome singing, 

See them with bright garlands crowned, "" 
While the vaulted heavens are ringing 

With the rapture-pealing sound. 
See the countless millions gather ! 

Oh, I shudder, shiver, sink ; 
Shelter ! save me, Heavenly Father ! 

Still, forbid me not to drink 
From these waters of the Elysian, 

On whose hills of broader scope, 
To my soul's anointed vision. 

Scenes of deeper glory ope ; 
Giving those intense revealings. 

Which the sight can scarce endure j 
Consecrating all my feelings. 

With baptisms high and pure. 



136 RIVAL CLAIMS. 

Seems as from me life were fleeing, 
God's eflfulgence so doth fill 

Every inlet of my being, 
With an all-pervading thrill. 

Dearest Father ! thou hast told me 

We were of Thyself a part ; 
Oh, then, as an infant, fold me 

Near to thy sustaining heart ; 
Still permitting that I cherish 

This sweet vision ; let it stay 
As a light that cannot perish, 

Dawn of thy eternal Day. 



RIVAL CLAIMS. 

Never knew I harp so changing 
As this spirit lyre of thine. 

Now, where angel hands are ranging, 
Now where fingers less divine. 

Here a tone of triumph taking, 
Self-rehant, calm, and strong; 

There with terror weakly shaking, 
Pouring a complaining song. 



EIVAL CLAIBIS. 137 

Strangest discord quivers through it ; 

Thrills a harmony sublime ; 
Loving sympathies subdue it 

To a gentle, tender chime. 

Now imbued with deepest sadness, 

Then with passionate desire, 
Soon, intoxicating gladness, 

Vibrates on the trembling wire. 

Oh, 'tis piteous ! thus to squander 

An inheritance so high. 
Thus to vacillate, and wander, 

'Twixt the lights of fen and sky. 

Learn to prize the holy treasure 

In thy deep heart slumbering, 
Tune thy lyre to some fixed measure, 

Some star-centred rhythm sing. 

Maiden, blushing the confession 

Of the virtues in thy breast. 
With thy womanly expression 

In the sweetest accents dressed ; 

In thy gentle nature blending 

Every captivating grace, 
And the rival charms, contending 

In thy ever-changing face, 
12* 



138 MY WIFE. 

Thou art regal as a queen is, 
Hast withal as rich a dower ; 

Would'st thou teach thy heart sereneness, 
Then were thine a queenly power. 

Then arouse thee, gentle sister ! 

Life is far too brief an hour 
For our souls to dwarf its vista, 

By the wasting of a flower. 

Rival crowns I see before thee — 

One of pure and true desire, 
One, if once it glitters o'er thee, 

It shall cling like chemic fire. 

Take the star-crown of the Father ; 

Spurn the tempter's diadem ; 
And thy coming days shall gather 

Power and Peace, perfecting them. 



MY WIFE. 



Oh blame me not. May, that so long I delayed 
My coming to greet thee; my footsteps were 
stayed 



MY WIFE. 139 

By a lingering fear that thou wouM'st not be- 
lieve 

The words I might speak, or it haply might 
grieve 

Thy sensitive nature, t&y Beautiful One! 

Yet dearest, believe me, thou art not alone. 

I linger above thee, by day and by night, 

I share in thy sorrows, and in thy delight 

There are times when my presence has over 
thee thrown 

An influence of sweetness tiiou canst not dis- 
own. 

There are times when I hold thee within my 
embrace, 

And gaze, as at first, on thy love-lighted face : 

There are times when old feelings within thee 
are stirred 

Till thou thrillest with rapture, my beautiful 
Bird! 

Be patient, be hopeful, let what will betide ; 
There are spirits of beauty who walk by thy 

side. 
I will come to thee, Mary, will over thee bend 
As a guardian angel, thy steps to attend ; 



140 FREED F 

Bright joy to thy life I will evermore bring, 
And aye to my strength shall thy gentleness 
ehng. 

Then deem it no weakness to cherish a love 
For thy young heart's betrothed, though his 

home be above, 
To live in the bliss of his loving caresses, 
For thee with delight he embraces and blesses. 
May love, joy, and peace, be the crown of thy 

life, 
And death bring my Mary, my darling, my wife I 



FREED! 



Father, I thank thee ! Tliou hast called my 
child 

Back to thyself and to its home in heaven f 
No more above his bed, in anguish wild, 

Through the dark night-hours will my prayera 
be given ; 
No more at day-break will the dreaded horn, 

From the sick sufferer, summon me away ; 
•No more, from his embraces rudely torn, 

I go, despairing, to my gloomy day I 



AN ADMONITION. 14] 

'T was a rich gift, Father, that proud boy ; 

Gladdening my bosom with his eye of hght; 
And though in him was centred all hfe's joy, 

Over its beauty hung a nameless blight! 
But now, my bhss is mixed with no alloy ; 

Now is my darHng born an Angel free, and 
white ! 



AN ADMONITION. 

With thy soul is earliest morning, 
And the dew lies on the ground, 

While a glory, all-adorning. 
From the sun is poured around. 

In thy bosom playful fancies 
A beguihng sweetness shed, 

As the odors of young paasies 
'Neath the sportive Fairies' tread. 

Half-blown liUes are revealing 
Snowy busts in bodice green, 

Buds of tenderest thought and feeling 
Half-expanded, bloom between. 



142 AN ADMONITION. 

Like bright bubbles, gayly flashing 
On some streamlet as it flows, 

Or as ocean wavelets plashing 
In the noon of night's repose j 

As the laughing sylphs, advancing 

In their revels, full of glee, 
• With the flashing billows dancing 
To the morning's melody ; 

As fresh grasses in the meadows, 
As the shadows on the hills, 

As the twittering of young sparrows^ 
As the incense noon distils ; 

As the breath of blooming clover, 
Grlances o.f red berries bright, — 

So aro.und, beneath, and over ; 
AU thy soul is a delight ! 

But I give thee earnest warning 
That its weapons are too fine, 

Less for conflict than adorning, 
Sterner metal should be thine, 

Fit to strengthen and ennoble 
All the future of thy life, 

Arming for the day of trouble. 
Arming for the day of strife. 



INVOCATION, 143 



INVOCATION. 

Beautiful spirits, gloriously fair ! 
Fondly ye hover round the loved one there, 
In the stern strife from love and home afar 
Where the grim legions of the Alien are ; 
Yet he beholds not, though ye come so near : 
Can ye not, spirits, make his vision clear, 
Lift from his weary hand his drooping head, 
And from that breast, to saddened fancies wed, 
Drive the dark spirit of distrust and dread 
And dry the tears his weary eyes must shed. 
Ye can the Wanderer of his pangs beguile, 
And light his dim'd eye with a radiant smile, 
Make his still heart with hopeful joyance spring 
And lend old gladness an exultant wing. 
Draw the dark future's clinging vail away, 
And fill his soul with promises of day. 
That he its kindling raptures may behold, 
Pleasures unthought, and ecstasies untold. 

Now as ye wheel in mazy circles round. 
He starts ! he listens ! yes, he hears the sound 
Of the glad notes your choirs are chanting now, 
See, what a glory sits upon his brow I 



144 INVOCATION. 

With what dehght are his quick pulses thrilled, 
With what enchantment is his bosom filled ! 
IlTow to the Father — forced no more to roam — 
In dreams of Heaven his spirit flutters home, 
Xeans on the Saviour in a blissful thought ; 
With joy we leave him to the spell ye've 
wrought. 

Ah, see ! he kneels, he bows in fervent prayer ; 
To him, sweet sisters, let us draw more near, 
Pour a full blessing on his youthful head, 
And heavenly love like balmy incense shed. 
As his soul hungers for the joys of heaven, 
Give him to feel his sins are all forgiven ; 
And as his spirit calmly sleeps in bliss. 
Just touch its red lips with a parting kiss ; 
Once more a heartfelt blessing we renew, 
And turn to leave him with a blithe adieu. 
Beautiful Spirits, hasten not away ! 
Leave, leave with me a blessing too, I pray ; 
And ere the dying of that farewell strain, 
Promise me. Spirits, to return again. 
Or that I meet you in the realms of air, 
Beautiful Spirits, gloriously fair 1 



PHANTASY. 145 



PHANTASY. 

" Tiny Acorn'' 

Was the first born 
Of the friendship felt for thee j 
Then the proud oak 
Still more loud spoke 
To thy inmost soul of me. 

Gentle Lady, 

I conveyed thee 
Many thoughts thou lovest well, 

And have brought thee 

Every thought free, 
Thus to hold thee in my spell. 

Life's hard lesson 

Finds expression 
In the ripple of these rhymes, 

As a river, 

Flowing ever, 
Murmurs out its dreamy chimes. 

In the dead light 
Of the midnight,"! 
I have sought thee as thou slept; 
13 



146 PHANTASY. 

When the gleamings 
Of bright dreamings 
Have across thy bosom swept. 

Oh surrender 

Every tender, 
Lofty feehng of thy soul, 

Each upspringing 

Fancy winging 
Onward to this glorious goal. 

Brighter beauties, 

Higher duties, 
"Will the future bring to thee. 

Oh, be careful, 

Watcliful, prayerful, 
Thus to keep thy spirit free. 

I am twining 
With this rhyming 

For thy brow a holy wreath. 
Pure and fadeless. 
From the shadeless 

Flowers beyond the shores of death. 

Radiating 
Consecrating 
Odors pure, and high, and good. 



I STOOD BESIDE THEE. 147 

Near the Father 
Thou shalt gather 
Heavenly manna for thy food. 



I STOOD BESIDE THEE. 

I STOOD beside thee all that night of grief 
Longing, but powerless, to bestow relief; 
Still all untroubled, for I saw how clear 
The sun of Trust would rise again, to cheer. 
The wrong and doubtful from the true and right 
Will fade, as darkness fadeth from the light. 
On a spring's bosom did'st thou never trace 
Perfect reflections of thy form and face ; 
Did'st never see some leaflet flutter down 
On its fair surface ? thus, sometimes, is thrown 
A ruffling shadow o'er the depths of mind, 
Blurring an image faithfully enshrined. 
A breath will dim the purest mirror's face, 
So may a thought, from other minds, efface 
From thy dear soul the messages we send. 
Or if not all, some mist may with them blend, 
Leaving their beauty but in fitful gleams; 
A troubled slumber giveth troubled dreams. 



148 THE DEAD BABY. 



THE DEAD BABT. 

A SPIRIT approached that I knew not before 
Who sang me this lay of the baby she bore. 

" This child on my bosom, but yesterday clung 
To the breast of its mother, who joyfully sung 
Such rich baby-lays, that the seraphs above 
Bent o'er the blest twain, in transports of love. 
The child raised its eyes to the jubilant band. 
And with gleeful surprise it threw up its white 

hand 
With a beckoning gesture, as if it would fain 
Woo the beautiful beings from heaven again. 

" Then they hovered still nearer the mother and 

son, 
So near that the child caught their low under-" 

tone. 
A moment, all motionless over the pair, 
They hung in a silence, profound as the prayer 
A dying saint offers, unuttered, to Grod, 
Ere his spirit departs for its blissful abode. 

" Then, fleet as the lightning, or cherubim fair 
With wings ever brightening the tremulous air 



THE DEAD BABY. 149 

Came down to the baby, so softly anear, 
And whispered a mystical word in his ear ; 
Then the red on his cheek grew white as the 

snow, 
His pouting red lips lost their rich, ruddy 

glow; 
O'er the love-beaming eyes the veined lids 

close. 
His dimpled hands fold like the leaves of the 

rose. 
Unbroken the vigil that mother still keeps, 
As she thinks, how profoundly her little one 

sleeps ! 

'' Oh, blissful young mother ; alas ! for the joy, 
The pride, hope, and love, centred all in thy boy ! 
The soft, tiny hand, thy warm fingers enfold, 
To ivory stiffening, grows ivory cold. 
She bent her quick ear, his low breathing to hear. 
Oh Grod ! how she shook with a shivering fear I 
No sweet coming breath, from his lips, met her 

own, 
And the little plump cheek was as cold as the 

stone ; 
The blood to her heart shuddered back with a 

bound, 
And she sank, a new JS'iobe, smote to the ground. 



150 THE DEAD BABY. 

" Oh, blissful reprieve from the swift-coming 

woes ! 
Too soon, yet too soon, from that trance she 

arose. 
Locked around her dead babe, firm as steel is 

her grasp. 
In vain is the struggle her hands to unclasp, 
She hears not, she sees not, she deigns no replies. 
But frantic and wild are her heart-rending cries. 

" ' I win not believe it! this cannot be death ! 
He is sleeping, sweet baby ! I hear his low breath ; 
See, how closely he presses his cheek to my 

breast ; 
Oh, do not, I pray you, disturb his calm rest ! 
Hard-hearted ! ye never shall pile the cold clod, 
'Twixt my baby and me, oh ! forbid it my God !' 

" Poor grief-stricken mother, 'tis well, for the day. 
That thy senses, bewildered, should wander 

away. 
But when they return, may they g'adden, to 

hear 
The voice of thy darling resound from the 

sphere. 
Where, crowned with Immortelles, and vestured 

in white. 
He walks with light angels, an angel of light 1" 



GUARDIAN ANGEL. 151 



GUARDIAN" ANGEL. 

A MOTHER is bending, with love-light descending, 

From her sunny, sweet face, o'er a daughter 

as fair ; 

And oft, in extreme night, her touch gives the 

dream light 

That cheers her in slumber, or hghtens her care. 

With holiest feeling, that mother is kneeling 
In prayer without ceasing, effectual, deep ; 

Some gentle revealing, at times must be stealing 
O'er the heart of her daughter, if only in 
sleep. 

Oh, yes ! I behold now, a light on her cold brow, 
That lends a conviction my vision is sure, 

Oh then, ever careful, be watchful, and prayerful, 
To heed well a guidance so loving and pure. 

Her spirit hath crowned thee with strength, that 

around thee 
V Hath kindled a light, in thy darkness so drear, 
Oh, heed then, her warning ; be the noon to thy 

morning 
Efifulgent in beauty, in purity clear. 



152 A spirit-mother's prayer. 

Let no sin of omission, no deeds for contrition, 
Between her pure spirit and thy spirit come ; 

But ever as now, bear untarnished thy brow, 
And forgetful of heaven, she will rest in thy 
home! 



A SPIRIT-MOTHER'S PRAYER. 

'Tis thy mother I and she presses 

Her white hand upon thy head ; 
Pure the light of her caresses. 

As the perfume roses shed. 
Clasped are those hands in prayer, 

As in earnest, pleading tone 
She beseeches, 

" Have a care 

Grod Almighty for my son, 
Let thy blessing, holy Father, 

Ever, ever on him rest ; 
Strength and courage may he gather 

From each trial ; to thy breast 
Father, clasp him, and thy love 

As a mantle round him folding, 
Shield him from the hungry drove — 

Foes that, even now, are holding 



A SPIRIT-MOTHER S PRAYER. 15S 

Revels in their secret chambers, 

In the castle-holds of wrong : 
May Truth's sunlight, as it clambers 

To the roof-tree, be more strong 
Than the falsehoods that would wrestle 

Prom the wronged the right away ; 
May the dove of promise nestle 

In his heart of hearts, alway ! 

" Well I know he will not palter, 

Pledged he stands for truth and right ; 
Well I know he will not falter 

In the thickest of the fight. 
But, oh Father, holy Pather ! 

Most unequal is the strife, 
See'st thou not how thickly gather 

Tempest clouds along his Hfe ? 
Will they not, ere long, come breaking 

Over his beloved head ? 
Day by day the storm is waking 

To fresh anger, and its tread 
Booms as heavy as the thunder. 

And its glance of vengeful ire, 
As when lightning darts from under 

Thickest blackness, flashing fire 1 

" Father keep him, oh, I pray thee 
Let his faith and love endure ; 



154 EVA. 

Let his strength still as his day be, 

Grod thy promises are sure : 
Thou hast said that thou would'st take him 

Under thy especial care, 
And I know thou'lt not forsake him, 

Hear, oh hear a mother's prayer. 

" 'Tis in vain I seek to smother 

This too apprehensive love ; 
Oh ! forgive, forgive a mother 

If, for such a son, she prove 
Anxious in her earnest praying, 

Reckless of all other care ; 
Fearful lest this base betraying 

Scourge him on to flat despair: 
Scourge him as the angry ocean 

Scourges the resounding shore; 
Oh, amid each wild commotion 

God protect him evermore !" 



EYA. 



The pulses of thy being, fold the silences 
Most reverently about them. Thy heart 
Is hushed by Solitude's profoundest stillnesses, 



EVA. 155 

And through the inmost depths of thy awed 

spirit, 
Sacred repose steals softly as in dreams. 

Or worshipping, 
Obediently bends, clasping its hands 
In an unspoken prayer, nor ever lays 
Its robes of glory by, because, for ever, 
Its recognition of the Infinite 
Falters not, in the silences of thouo^ht 
Beyond description, is it sweet and strange, 
This spiritual influx, flooding the soul 
With radiant glory-beams, a sea sublime 
Of wisdom-lighted billows ; to revel 
Mid the flashing wavelets of conceptions 
Lofty and pure, as heavenly dreams can give. 
A twilight scene is now outspread before me ; 
I seem to thread thy future. Everywhere 
Above thy head, are gleaming stars which yet 
Will shed a radiance holy, that shall shower 
On thee, and on the world, intensity 
Of Truth's high power, and Love's all-conquer- 
ing might. 
Were not thy spirit as an open book, 
I could not thus peruse it. 

'Twere in vain 
To seek concealment of a single syllable, 
So perfect their succession each on each, 



156 THE NEW RETELATION. 

In their connection so symmetrical, 
And like a well-tuned instrument, accordinsr. 
If the key note be touched but skilfully. 
Then throw at once this modest screen aside, 

And suffer all to read thee just as clear. 
That with bright beauty, aU be satisfied ; 

And loving hearts, who hnger thus anear 
Thy captivating presence, be aware 
Of the pure under current swelling there. 
In whose intenser depths, serenely float 
Voices the careless ever fail to note, 
Lured by the mist- wreaths, and the lustrous foam 
Of the soul's surface, from the thoughts which 

come 
Through angel voices, unto mortals given, 
When inspiration opes the gates of heaven, 
And Christ, the Beautiful, bends meekly down 
Their asking spirits with his love to crown. 



THE NEW EEYELATION. 

From highest Heaven a spirit voice, to-night, 
Speaks to my soul, in accents fine and clear. 
List for a moment, gentle friends, and hear 

The tones come, fluttering as the boreal light; 



NELL. 157 

And now I catcli the burden of the theme. 
" Rejoice, that earth beholds a better day, 
And Heaven is opened through a surer way 

Than flitting shadows, and imperfect dream 1 
Ye hear the whispers of the Angel-band, 

With God himself ye hold communion high, 
And feel the consecration of his hand. 

The inspiration of his cloudless eye ! 
Oh, be ye faithful, ye who are beheving, 
Perfect your spirits for more full receiving." 



NELL. 

As a full blown orange flower, 

As a pure white lily-bell, 
As a dark eye's matchless power, 

Art thou, most beauteous Nell 1 

As the whisperings of the twilight, 
As the wavelet's gentle swell, 

As the mysteries of the midnight, 
Art thou, mysterious Nell ! 

As a bright-hpped Fairy-maiden, 
Dancing o'er a flowery dell. 

With all witching fancies laden, 
Art thou, bewitching NeR ! 
14 



158 NELL. 

As the fresh breath of the morning, 
As the fulhiesses, that dwell 

In the noontide's rich adorning, 
Art thou, most glorious Nell ! 

As the sweet hymn of a blossom, 
As a soft-toned silver bell, 

As the incense-freighted bosom 
Of the rose, art thou, dear Nell I 

As the winking of bright star-beams, 
The strange histories they tell. 

The revealings of our rare dreams, 
Ever art thou, dreamy Nell ! 

Eipplings of the moon-lit ocean, 
Sunbeams in a crystal well, 

Every tranced, trancing motion, 
Images my graceful Nell ! 

Oh, the witchery of thy glances. 
Of thy red lips' matchless spell. 

Of the light and shade, that dances 
O'er thy face, thou saucy Nell ! 

Won, by woman, down from Heaven, 
Poets sing, that angels fell, — 

Blameless, had their charmers, even 
Half thy glory, queenly Nell ! 



A VISION. 



A VISION. 



159 



Just as my spirit left its clay, this eve, 

And darkness settled down ; 
And my vp-hole being seemed dissolved in air, — 
Thrilled ^on my spirit ear a music-strain 
Soothing and sweet, and on its mellow waves 
There came faint gleamings of the palest light 

Pervading all my thought-sky. 
Star after star, came leaping with glad smiles. 
Into this realm of song, and all the heavens 
With glory-beaming brightness were aglow I 
In this effulgence, kindred to the light, 
Or as it were the light. 
The music rose and fell ; 
Now soaring to profound sublimities, 
Anon to all sweet cadences descending. 
Instinct with life, it seemed, and bore me up, 

On its irradiant wings, 
Into the realms of perfectness and peace ; 
How shall I speak that perfectness and peace I 

Wrapped all around, and as it were, 
Steeped, in their most ethereal influences, 
My spirit, drooping with the honied dews 
Of their delight, hung paralyzed with bliss, 
Incapable of motion. 



IGO MY KJkBT. 

life's spidding beaker to the bfim was filled, 
Its iommj bidible^ lx«aking, 
QcatttExed tfaeir fiagnnt ^^aj, 
likeiDoense over me. 
(^God! the qnkkd^ht that flailed iqKHL me, 
flooding mj ^int with a sea of ^oiy, 
TDnmmaimg afl its iniiiast depths 
With Salt's int^iaty ! Had not my senses 
S^ in the deatlft-dasp of a dinging spdi 
That heid ffaem in emfacaoes 8tn»g as steei. 
Tins ^OTT bad owgmned all eartiily bfe. 
I floaiei i^ 3^ ^ _ere of ptayra*, 
Kadi tri '_ Z 5 a ?weet in^HiatkMi I 
Deficic- z defi^ 
I ooolc _^-- . ziz ^ rams foreverl 



*^MT EABY.* 



Lo^ I fed die sweet caresses, 
Of a beanteoos a^id-diild, 
Sannj are her golden tresses, 

And brT eves are bine and mild. 

E : " - TDoa^ the dimplpB 

Ct^ r - jis" limpies 

Wt. Ji^esea. 



HIDDEN PEEFTJMK. 161 

On my bosom she repose^ 
JS'estling close, she softly sings, 

As the rustling of the roses 

From the humming-bird's quick wino^ 

And a band of angel sisters, 
Smiling, beckoning, hover near, 

Lifting her bright head, she whispers 
Kiss me, bless me, mother dear ; 

Scarce has ceased the pleasant ringing 

Of her voice within mine ear, 
When her white arms upward flinging 

Slowly floats she, on, to where 

Her companions weave their dances 

On the crimson tinted clouds ; 
But methinks her parting glances 

An unspoken sadness shroud. 



HTDDEX PERFUME. 

Their choicest odors will the roses keep ; 

Their brightest beauties in vailed bosoms cling 
The drowsy minstrels, love-lured, nestle deep, 

Unseen and tuneftd in their hearts to sing : 



162 HIDDEN PERFUME. 

Clothed in a language fe^ can comprehend, 
Their sacred hymnings cunningly they pour, 

They best interpret who in reverence bend, 
Learning alone by love's mysterious lore. 

Rivers that move with calm and stately motion, 

And lesser streams that bear them company 
To the unfathomable depths of ocean, 

Yail half their glories from the common eye. 
From lordly oaks that skirt the mountain's brow. 

To the green cedars of the shady vale, 
Through each and all, subUmest meanings flow, 

Each hath its lore occult and mystic tale. 
And souls of noble strain alone may read 

The lessons folded in their secret core ; 
Thus of our souls, heroic thought and deed, 

With reverent love, command the firmest door. 

Like a sweet rose-bud doth thy spirit seem. 

Not half its perfume, half its charms revealed ; 
As the arbutus in dry leaves will gleam, 

Betrayed by incense when the most concealed. 
I know that thou art beautiful as bright 

Though but the image of thy soul I see,. 
For souls like thine disseminate the light 

In glory floods of deep intensity. 



VIRGIN ISLAND. 163 



YIRGIN ISLAND. 



Afar in the west is a sunny isle 

That is only lighted by Woman's smile ; 

In all its bound may no man be found, 

And to woman's voice replies no sound, 

But of singing birds, and the minstrelsy 

Of swinging boughs in the forests free, — 

Of gurgling brooks, and the rippling rills, 

And hymns of the flowers on sunny hills, — 

And glossy blades of the laughing grass 

Kissing our feet as we softly pass, — 

And wood-nymphs, borne by the winds above 

The Ocean's surges, wooing the love 

Of beautiful sylphs, who gambol and play 

With the foam-crested waves, or lovingly lay 

Their frolicsome heads on the white billows' 

breast. 
Whose low, hushing lullaby, soothes them to 

rest. 

And 0, in this Isle of the Lily and Rose, 

All crimson-lipped joys fold their wings in 

repose ; 
And could I but burst my flesh-fetters I'd soar 
On pinions of hght to this sweet Island shore, 



164 VICTORY. 

With gay gladsome spirits to frolic and sing, 
Where Winter ne'er darkens our life's joyous 
Spring I 



YICTORT. 



A STEAMER ploughed Potomac's waves one morn, 
Upon its deck there stood a dark-browed girl 
Like a sultana ; while a haughty curl 

Of her proud lip, and a quick glance of scorn, 
Flashing indignant lightning from her eye. 
Told of a purpose resolute and high! 

A slave ! this thought within her breast alone 
Came raging ever like an unchecked fire, 
And for fair Freedom such intense desire 

Filled her whole being, Reason from its throne 
Fell tottering, as an overwhelming woe 

Over her soul in sudden madness came, 

And with a shriek that rent the air like flame 
She leapt exultant to the waves below. 



SONG OF THE WALKING BEAM SEA ENGINE. 165 



SONG OF THE WALKING BEAM SEA 
ENGINE. 

For years, long years, down under the wave, 

I have toiled, a sullen rebellious slave, 

With sad, reluctant, dejected tread, 

Not daring to lift my sunken head, 

A weary, unwilling subject, bound, 

I have plodded on in my ceaseless round. 

But now to a broad rejoicing sky, 
I toss my fetterless arms on high, 
And with head uplifted exultingly, 
I shout and I shriek with jubilant glee, 
As my mates go by, for I think of the caves. 
Far down in the deep, where they toil as slaves 
With a kingly step, stately and proud, 
I walk the sea when its waves are loud ; 
And I drown with laughter its mocking cries, 
When the serried waters around me rise. 
Then huzza for the genius that dared to free 
From hopeless bondage the King of the Sea. 

And huzza for the gallant Captain and crew — 
And our ship, that dashes the dark waves 
through, 



166 THE ANGEL OF MT DREAM. 

As staunch as iron, as true as steel, 
Trom bowsprit to rudder, from inain deck to keel. 
And huzza, for the Commodore, three times three I 
Whose genius has triumphed where science 
would flee. 



THE ANGEL OP MY DREAM. 

I SLEPT as saints may sleep in heaven, 
With all their earthly sins forgiven, 
And locked within its crystal chains 
My soul forgot all mortal pains. 

Then I felt a hand on mine, 
Seemed it as the touch of thine, 
And I straightway turned to see 
What thy questioning might be j 
'Twas Lucinda's gentle face, 
'Twas her sisterly embrace. 

Then a curtaining silence fell 
And embraced us in its spell. 
And her arm was round me thrown, 
As a strong protecting zone ; 
My soul was troubled as a wave, 
But her heart beat strong and brave. 



THE ANGEL OF MY DREAM. 167 

" Wherefore, timid spirit, now, 
Should'st thou shrink, and tremble so ? 
Filled with joy thy soul should be. 
An angel bends in love o'er thee ; 
See ! he beckons thee away, 
Hasten, hasten to obey !" 

With a gladsome, sweet surprise, 
Lifted I my drooping eyes 
Unto his ; in either one 
Flashed there such a bUnding sun, 
That beneath their Hds in pain, 
Mine concealed themselves again. 

" Now his glory is more dim. 
Thou canst look undaz'd on him." 
Lucy said. I looked, and, lo I 
Such a rapture lit his brow, 
Such a heavenly halo shed 
Brightest lustre o'er his head, 
That my own I meekly bent. 
As a nun before her saint. 

Then he took my hand iu his, 
Oh, of all the memories 
That I cherish of the past, 
This shall linger, till the last^ 
O'er my future Uke a star, 
Sorrow cannot dim, nor mar 1 



168 THE ANGEL OF MY DREAM. 

" G-entle daughter !" whispered he, 
" I am here to comfort thee ; 
Behold the hght about thee shine, 
Of my presence 'tis the sign ; 
When thou feel'st tliis starry gleam, 
Seek me in thy purest dream. 

*' In deep sorrow, pain, or care. 

Or when evil lays its snare, — 

In thy every trial hour, 

Thou shalt feel the soothing power 

My protection can impart, 

To support, and cheer thy heart." 

Then the darkened heavens bent. 
And a fiery cloud was sent. 
As the moon appears at times, 
When the eastern hill she chmbs. 
With her garments, crimson red, 
O'er the misty orient spread. 

Thus intensely luminous 
Fell the red cloud over us ; 
Just above his head it broke, 
And involved him in a smoke, 
Thin, and clear, and silvery bright, 
As a vapor, silvery white. 



THOU DIDST FORGET. 169 

Eound and round him it did twine 
Kound his matchless form divine, 
As a vail of silky gauze ; 
And amid the breathless pause 
That succeeded our amaze, 
Slow he faded from our gaze. 



THOU DIDST FORGIET. 

Thou didst forget to call last night 
Upon thy guardian angel bright, 
Who hitherto has watched thy sleep, 
Its dreaming pure and high to keep ; 
Thy nightly prayer thou didst forget, 
And with unguarded fancies let 
Strange guests into thy spirit come, 
Thus driving from their sacred home 
The pure and peaceful thoughts serene — 
Angels of beauty, who, between 
Their heaven and thee, have ever kept 
Sweet intercourse ; and, as there swept 
Across thy vision, forms so wild. 
Sweetly the conscious guardian smiled, 
As, with angelic love and grace, 
They sought the phantoms to displace. 
15 



170 GENIUS OF THE ENCHANTED SPRING. 

In thine own soul the power doth he 
To bid each hateful influence fly ; 
From thine own self the power must come 
To lighten and refine thy home ; 
If thou but speak the magic word 
Whereby the soul's deep founts are stirred, 
Light, Love, and Truth, will spring to birth, 
With the new Heavens and new Earth. 



GENIUS OP THE ENCHANTED SPRING. 

I HAVE come from stately mountains, 
Where the Indian tribes still dwell ; 

I have hallowed hmpid fountains, 
And blest each crystal well. 

O'er bars of steel I've travelled, 

By skilful cunning wrought ; 
Dark forest paths unravelled. 

With deepest mysteries fraught ; 

'Mid meads of blooming clover. 

Through sunny valleys fair, 
By hill-sides sprinkled over 

With blossoms rich and rare ; 



GENIUS OF THE ENCHANTED SPRING. 171 

Deep, rapid rivers swimming, 
With the Naiads I have strayed ; 

Where the waves with foam were brimming, 
I have kissed each laughing maid. 

Through fields of grain all whitened, 

Ripe for the reaper's hand ; 
By rippling brooklets brightened 

With sparkling spray and sand ; 

Where gleaming fish were leaping 

In frolic and in fun ; 
Where turtles grave were sleeping 

In the smile- warmth of the sun. 

By the ever-surging billows 

Of the restless, tireless main ; 
Where the languid wavelet pillows 

Its head upon the plain. 

The clouds have shed a pleasance 

When sunless was my day ; 
The stars lent their sweet presence 

To gild my nightly way. 

O'er the dwellings of the lowly, 

Where truth and love abound, 
I have scattered blessings holy 

Of joy and peace around. 



172 CONSOLATION. 

Matron and gentle maiden, 
The youthful and the old, 

The gladsome, the grief-laden, 
Have felt my spirit fold. 

And fresh from these caressings 
Of the lovely and the true, 

I come with choicest blessings 
To shower over you. 

Ye are folded to my bosom, 
Close to my inmost heart, 

As the calyx of a blossom 
Folds in each fragrant part. 



CONSOLATION 



DISPEL this wasting anguish. 
Shed no tears but those of joy, 

Lift the falUng hands that languish 
In proud triumph for your boy. 

That the golden gates should open 

To his tiny baby feet, 
And the words by angels spoken 

Should his baby spirit greet. 



TO . 173 

Oilen in the solemn hushing 

Of the twilight he will steal 
So near ye, that the brushing 

Of his pinions, ye shall feel. 

To your sad and lonely chamber, 
Seraph babes shall nightly come, 

Ye shall hear their pleasant clamor, 
It shall dissipate your gloom. 

And upon your loving bosoms, 
On your cheeks and lips so sweet, 

Little hands shall lie like blossoms, 
Little lips with kisses meet. 

Every eventide the singing 

Of this seraph baby -band, 
To your spirits will be bringing 

Echoes from the spirit-land. 



TO 



In thy mind, distorted angles 

Here and there obstruct my view; 

Reason twisted into tangles, 

Doubt and Trust, the Old and New. 
15* 



174 TO . 

In thy spirit softly slumbers 
Harmony as rich and deep, 

As symphonious in its numbers, 
As o'er heavenly visions sweep. 

And a pure and sunny pleasance, 

As a halo seems to rest 
O'er thy spirit, and the essence, 

By its sweetness is confest. 

In its presence, no denying 
Or foreboding fancies stay, 

So the shadows shall be flying 

From thought's song-ht fields away. 

Golden gleams shall gild the glooming 
From the sunset's parting glow, 

Even the midnight shall be blooming 
Thick with stars upon its brow. 

And the ghttering dews of sadness 
Shaken from the lap of night. 

On the morrow's radiant gladness 
Shall reflect a kindling hght. 

Light so varied and resplendent 
In its pure and heavenly glow, 

It with beauty most transcendent 
Glorifies thy placid brow. 



THE GARLAND. 176 

Then, oh then, rejoice for ever, 
That such peacefulness is thine, 

There shall come a storm cloud never, 
That can darken o'er the shrine. 



THE GARLAND. 

I HAVE braided a garland of Asphodel blooms 
Such alone as some magical power enshrine ; 

Though hueless and viewless, their precious per- 
fumes, 
Will be felt and exhaled by a spirit like thine. 

When night wove its webbing of darkness pro- 
found. 
And the zephyrs lay languidly waiting for 
morn, 
When the shadows sank silent and slow to the 
ground, 
In a stillness so sacred, the blossoms were 
born. 

They were gathered and brought by a seraph to 
me. 
Who said, as she tossed them in the lap of my 
dreams. 



176 THE JEWELED HEAVENS. 

" Wake^ and weave a wierd wreath ere the in- 
fluence flee, 
And morning dissolve the charmed spell with 
its beams." 

So I braided the garland with delicate taste ; 
As the last leaf was fastened the bright spirit 
fled; 
But in flying she whispered,. "^ In its freshness, 
on, haste ! 
Place the magical circlet on sweet Mary's 
head." 



THE JEWELED HEAVENS. 

Oh, be silent, spirit voices, 

Singing, ringing, reach my ear, 

Throbbing pulses, hu^ your noises ; 
Let me hear I more clearly hear I 

Stay, oh stay this tide of feeling; 

Trembling heart, lay fear aside ; 
Senses, shocked in sudden reeling. 

Look to Him, the Glorified I 



THE JEWELED HEAVENS. 17T 

Fervently your white arms reaching, 
In the silence lift your prayer, 

With hps mute in their beseeching, 
Spirit meekly bending, where 

His light footstep flashes beauty 
On the mountains, as he goes ; 

So the twin eyes, faith and duty, 
To the spirit shall disclose 

Such intensely brilhant gleamings 
Of the home where spirits dwell 

That the Poet's wildest dreamings 
Were too faint, its worth to tell. 

I have seen its mingled glories, 

Flashing intermittent gleams, 
Far beyond the gorgeous stories 

Of the heaven of orient dreams I 

There the golden chrysoprasus 
Mingled with the emerald's green, 

In a glory that surpasses 

All that mortal eye has seen. 

The still varying opal's hue, 
The wierd agate's cloudy hues, 

Turquoise with its heavenly blue, 
And the flashing almandines. 



178 ELTSIAN ECHOES. 

Diamonds, such as earth ne'er furnished 
For her proudest monarch's crown, 

Gems, so exquisitely burnished, 

That their rays hke sun-beams shone ; 

Eubies bright, and pearls the fairest, 
Sea-hued beryls, jasper stones, 

And clear crystal forms, the rarest, 
And pellucid chalcedones. 

But surpassing all that splendor, 
Blazed the glory of the One, 

God-like strong, and child-Uke tender, 
Whom 'tis life to look upon I 



ELYSIAN ECHOES. 

We have read in olden stories, 
How some viewless angel's wing 

Could unfold celestial glories. 
Beatific radiance fling 

O'er the spirit, when to cheer it, 
Bhssful memories it would bring. 

We have revelled in the pleasance 
Of some sunny summer's day, 



THE OLD TEAR. 179 

And have trembled in the presence 

Of some glory-beaming ray 
From a spirit, when anear it 

God's divinest angels stray. 

Golden dreams, which far outnumber 
All the raptures men have sung. 

On the silent stream of slumber 
Have as gems of joy been strung 

By our visions, when Elysians 

Echoes, through our souls have rung. 

And that fountain seems to open. 

So divinely pure and true, 
" Who so drinks," thus was it spoken, 

Never more a thirsting knew ; 
But his spirit should inherit 

Peace, as sweet as heaven's dew. 



THE OLD YEAR 



Dying, dying, slowly dying. 
Sinks the old year to its rest ; 

Sighing, sighing, faintly sighing, 
Sleeps the young year on its breast. 



180 THE OLD YEAR. 

Through Time's alcoves sadly ringing 
Come the songs of angels clear, 

Holy anthems, sweetly singing. 
For the slowly sinking year. 

Through the dimly lighted chambers 
Of the slow receding past, 

Gleam the sadly dying embers 
Of its sacred holocaust. 

Now, as voices of the wildwood, 
Comes a perfect gush of song ; 

'Tis the gleesome notes of childhood 
Borne Time's corridors along. 

And the Future is unclosing 

To the young year the " To Be," 

Starting from his sweet reposing 
Springs he to his destiny. 



THE END. 



ERRATA. 

Page 14, 5tli line — foT form read /oa?y?. 
Page 176, 9tli line — for on read oh. 



OCT 15 1900 



